The Shura Council State of Qatar

The 298th session of the Executive Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union commenced today in Doha, hosted by the State of Qatar and represented by the Shura Council, with the participation of Their Excellencies members of the Executive Committee. The meeting will continue until tomorrow, Wednesday.
The meeting discusses a number of topics included on the agenda, foremost among them an assessment of the progress made in implementing the Union’s strategy for the current period, consideration of the general directions of the upcoming five-year strategy, as well as several organizational and parliamentary issues related to enhancing the role of the Union and the effectiveness of its mechanisms.
The participants will continue their deliberations on amendments to the Statutes, and the review of the rules governing the voting mechanism on the emergency item at the Assembly, in a manner that contributes to developing the Union’s working mechanisms and expanding its international impact as a global platform that promotes human rights, peace, and sustainable development.
In her opening remarks, Her Excellency Dr. Hamda bint Hassan Al-Sulaiti, Deputy Chair of the Shura Council, member of the Executive Committee, and Vice-Chair of the Committee representing the Arab Group within the Union, affirmed that the State of Qatar’s hosting of this meeting comes within the framework of its steadfast approach, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of the State, may God protect him, in supporting multilateral action, enhancing international dialogue, and consolidating the role of parliamentary institutions as an effective partner in achieving peace, supporting development, and addressing shared challenges at both the regional and international levels.
Her Excellency also commended the pivotal role played by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, particularly the Executive Committee, in steering the course of the Union’s work, developing its mechanisms, and enhancing its effectiveness in a manner that responds to the aspirations of national parliaments and keeps pace with the rapid transformations taking place worldwide.
For her part, Her Excellency Dr. Tulia Ackson, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and Chair of the Executive Committee, affirmed that the Committee serves as an advisory body that submits its recommendations to the Union’s governing bodies, and also represents an institutional platform for discussion and in-depth analysis of various issues related to the work of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. She welcomed the members of the Committee, expressing her anticipation of their valuable contributions to enriching its work, and extended her thanks to the State of Qatar for hosting the meeting.
She added that the members of the Committee, in their capacity as representatives of the world’s parliamentarians, reflect the voice and aspirations of peoples, which places upon them a collective responsibility to contribute to enhancing the well-being of human societies. In this context, she reiterated her welcome to the members of the Executive Committee, stressing the importance of benefiting from their expertise and the diversity of their perspectives, and inviting them to put forward any proposals and ideas they deem appropriate that would contribute to developing the performance of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and strengthening its role.
The State of Qatar’s hosting of this meeting comes as an affirmation of its steadfast approach in supporting joint international action and consolidating the role of parliamentary institutions—particularly the Inter-Parliamentary Union and its committees—in guiding international parliamentary work, contributing to addressing regional and international challenges, and promoting peace and development, based on its vision founded on dialogue and constructive cooperation.
On the sidelines of the meeting, members of the Executive Committee visited the Shura Council building, where they met with a number of Their Excellencies Members of the Council. They also toured the building’s facilities, including a visit to the documentary exhibition featuring a collection of artifacts and documents that chronicle the Council’s journey since its establishment and highlight the key milestones of its development and institutional role.