The Shura Council State of Qatar

Under the theme "Digital democracy, Social Communication and the Role of Parliamentary Councils in Promoting It", the tenth conference of the Association of General Secretaries of Arab Parliaments, organized by the Shura Council over two days at the Sheraton Doha Hotel, opened this morning.
The conference brings together more than 80 participants from General Secretaries and representatives of Arab parliaments and legislatures, as well as a number of representatives of Arab parliamentary organizations and federations.

The Shura Council affirmed that the State of Qatar attaches particular importance to Arab and Islamic systems dealing with the issues and concerns of its peoples, its participation in decision-making and the advancement of development. He also stressed the importance of the Conference as an effective parliamentary system, providing a platform for each year to develop and support the administrative performance of the General Secretariats and to assist Arab parliaments and legislative councils in the performance of their legislative and oversight functions and in the area of parliamentary diplomacy. This was reflected in a speech by H.E. Mr. Hassan bin Abdullah Al-Ghanim, Speaker  of the Council, at the opening of the proceedings of the conference, delivered on his behalf by H.E. Dr. Hamda bint Hassan Al-Sulaiti, Deputy-Speaker of the Council.

For his part, His Excellency Dr. Ahmed bin Nasser Al-Fadhala, President of the Association of General Secretaries of Arab Parliaments, Secretary-General of the Shura Council, affirmed in a speech at the opening meeting of the Conference that the State of Qatar, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al ad Al Thani, for the efforts, activities and achievements of the Assembly of General Secretaries of Arab Parliaments, through its interaction with recent regional and international issues, noting that the Conference will discuss the issues on its agenda, exchange views on the most successful and easy ways to achieve the Assembly's objectives, in the interest of Arab parliaments and legislatures, and contribute to the service of Arab peoples and the realization of their hopes and aspirations.

The Conference would also address the completion of the discussion and study of important issues, including the examination of the Secretaries-General's terms of reference as well as follow-up to last February's Baghdad Conference resolutions establishing two committees The first concerns the examination of the statute and the Assembly's proposed approved rules of procedure, To be approved at the Doha meeting, while the second concerns the production of the guide, as well as the approval of the draft annual financial budget of the Assembly as in previous conferences to adopt its final account, to determine the date and seat of the next meeting of the Assembly and to consider applications for membership.

In his statement, His Excellency Mr. Mohammed Quresh Nias, Secretary-General of the Federation of Councils of Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), expressed his sincere thanks to the State of Qatar and the Shura Council for hosting and preparing this important conference.

He invited the members of the Assembly to participate in the fifth meeting of the Assembly of Secretaries-General of the Union of Councils of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at the beginning of next year in Abidjan, Republic of Côte d'Ivoire.

"The choice of the theme" digital democracy, social communication and the role of Arab parliaments in promoting it ", Nias said. "A slogan for the Doha Conference today, a major title reflecting the Assembly's aspirations to keep pace with and adapt to accelerating developments at the digital level to promote democracy through Arab parliamentary and legislative councils" and stressing the importance of the role of the members of the Arab legislatures in this area, and making instructive proposals to their councils in this area, while the world is fearful of the possible unsafe transformations of artificial intelligence with unforgettable benefits.

The conference, organized by the Shura Council, will review a number of reports on the Assembly's work, financial balance and future activities.

 The agenda will also include the forty-third General Assembly meeting and a workshop entitled "Digital democracy, social communication and the role of parliamentary councils in promoting them". During the Conference, participants will also complete discussion of a number of issues, including the terms of reference of the Secretaries-General, the issuance of a guide to the Assembly, as well as consideration of the conclusions and recommendations of both the Committee for the Discussion and Consideration of Amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly and the Committee for the Study of Proposals and Recommendations for a guide to the Secretary-General's terms of Reference in Arab parliaments.

The conference was preceded by the thirty-ninth meeting of the Assembly's Executive Committee chaired by H.E. Dr. Ahmed bin Nasser Al-Fadala, President of the Association of General Secretaries of Arab Parliaments, secretary-General of Shura Council. 

Qatar, represented by the Shura Council, presides over the Assembly of General Secretaries of Arab Parliaments.

 H.E. Dr. Ahmed bin Nasser Al-Fadala, Secretary General of the Council, was elected as President of the Assembly on the sidelines of its meeting in Cairo in February last year. The Association, based in Kuwait, contributes to improving Arab parliamentary work and coordinating Arab positions on various issues and issues.