What we find in Bahrain is what we should have in other countries of our world: IPU President
Manama, Mar. 11 (BNA): Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) President Duarte Pacheco has issued a passionate appeal for the international community to promote peaceful co-existence and referred to Bahrain as an example.
"We are in a country that shows to the world that people from different cultures, religions, can live together in a peaceful society and in the perfect coexistence. What we find here is what we should have in other countries of our world - Peaceful coexistence," Pacheco said at a press conference following the opening of the IPU 146th Assembly and related meetings in Bahrain.
"That's why this is the right place to discuss this issue, and to share this message from Bahrain to all the world."
Parliamentarians from across the world are meeting in Bahrain for their Assembly and related meetings held under the theme "Promoting peaceful coexistence and inclusive societies: Fighting intolerance".
At the Bahrain Assembly, all IPU statutory bodies, including the Governing Council, Standing Committees, Thematic Committees on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians and on Middle East Questions, as well as the Forum of Women Parliamentarians and the Forum of Young MPs, have convened.
The General Debate will provide a platform for delegates to deliberate, exchange views and galvanize parliamentary action in fighting intolerance and promoting peaceful coexistence and inclusive societies.
"As president of IPU I need to say that I am very happy to be here in Manama for this Assembly of IPU 146," Pacheco said.
"It's very relevant to share some figures with you. IPU is this multilateral organization of the world created in 1893. So more than 130 years old, much before the First World War, the United Nations, the Second World War, and we joined Parliaments from across all over the world."
Pacheco the assembly was global, and not confined to a single region, which explains the fact that "more than 140 delegations that came to Bahrain to talk about problems of our world."
"That is because we understand that global problems may be solved only through global solutions."
"Terrorism is a problem. But one country alone will not be strong enough to fight it. The same with poverty, and I can talk about many other problems of the world. That's why these conferences are so relevant. That's why 1,000 parliamentarians from so many countries are here with all the staff and experts who come with them."
Pacheco said that the world came together to fight the recent pandemic.
"Many scientists from different cultures and countries worked together in a record time to find the vaccines, and the world won," he said.
"Unfortunately, we didn't learn the lesson and many conflicts persist in our world."
He pointed out that parliamentarians have the necessary tools in their hands and legislate and direct resources to make the world a safer place where we could all live together.
The president stressed that parliamentarians should defend human rights, including women's rights, and support the greater participation of young people in political life.
"There is no democracy without the participation of young people who will talk about the future that will be more relevant for them," he said.
Pacheco thanked Bahrain for organizing the event saying, "I don't have enough words to say thank you to authorities of Bahrain."
"They were amazing during the last months in preparing this assembly. All the details were prepared I believe that many night were spent to achieve where we are now, and now it is our responsibility to work, and to achieve success for a peaceful world."
