Bahrain participates in 39th Executive Committee meeting of Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union
Cairo, Sep. 9 (BNA): MP Ahmed Abdulwahed Qarata, Second Deputy Speaker of the Council of Representatives and member of the Executive Committee of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIPU), participated in the 39th session of the Executive Committee meeting of the AIPU, held in Cairo, the Arab Republic of Egypt.
The meeting was chaired by Ibrahim Boughali, President of the AIPU, and attended by MP Zainab Abdulameer Khalil, Deputy Head of the delegation; Dr Fatima Abduljabbar Al Kooheji, Shura Council member; and MP Hisham Abdulaziz Al Awadhi.
Qarata confirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s stance, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, in supporting the Palestinian cause. He emphasised the need for a just and lasting solution that guarantees the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. He also highlighted the importance of halting escalation, protecting civilians, releasing hostages, and continuing relief and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
He commended the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for supporting Arab joint action and enhancing international security and stability.
Qarata added that Bahraini parliamentary diplomacy, under the leadership of Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam, Speaker of the Council of Representatives and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Parliamentary Division, focuses on developing Arab parliamentary cooperation and coordinating positions in international parliamentary engagements to serve common interests.
He welcomed the formation of the Parliamentary Diplomacy Committee within the union, aimed at connecting Arab parliamentary work across all unions and organisations, and activating the role of the Arab parliamentary bloc in regional and international forums.
The meeting approved the interim financial committee report, chaired by Qarata, which reviewed the union’s financial situation and analysed requests from parliamentary blocs, emphasising transparency and collective financial commitment essential for the union’s sustainability.
Qarata noted the report’s recommendations balanced economic and political conditions of some countries while maintaining the union’s financial stability and institutional status, ensuring its leading role in supporting joint Arab parliamentary action.
The committee also approved appointing Dr Saleh Ibrahim Al Ghathith, Head of the Legal Consultative Authority at the Council of Representatives, as an expert on the Arab Parliamentary Excellence Award committee, recognising Bahrain’s parliamentary expertise and contributions.
The meeting reviewed the union’s bylaws, the regulations for the Arab Parliamentary Excellence Award, committee membership, the internal regulations of the Arab group within the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and a proposal to amend voting procedures for urgent matters at the union’s general assembly.
The Bahraini delegation previously participated in the interim financial committee meeting and the Gulf parliamentary councils’ coordination meeting, preparing and coordinating for the 39th session of the Arab Parliamentary Union Executive Committee. They discussed enhancing Gulf parliamentary cooperation and aligning positions in international parliamentary engagements to serve Gulf common interests.
