The Shura Council State of Qatar

The 142nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) began on Monday with the participation of HE Speaker of the Shura Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud via videoconferencing.

In his speech to the assembly, HE the Speaker stressed the special importance of this session, which is held under very precise and complex regional and international circumstances, which imposes more on parliamentarians in various countries of the world more burdens and tasks for the effective contribution to overcoming many dangerous challenges, foremost of which is COVID-19, which requires the highest levels of cooperation and solidarity among the countries of the world.

His Excellency said that thanks to the wise policy of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the State of Qatar was able to vaccinate the majority of the population, both citizens and residents, and that an elaborate plan will be implemented to lift the restrictions imposed to limit the pandemic.

In terms of international cooperation, and under the directives of HH the Amir, the State of Qatar has provided great assistance to many friendly countries and humanitarian organizations to contribute to limiting the spread of COVID-19, HE the Speaker added.

His Excellency referred to the importance of serious work for sustainable development and the role of parliamentarians in achieving it as it is the basis of security and peace in the world.

He stressed that among the most serious threats to security and peace in the Middle East region is Israel's oppressive and brutal practices against the Palestinian citizens and its continued illegal occupation of their land, which calls for a firm stance towards them from the international community and parliamentarians in particular, obligating to implement international legitimacy decisions related to the Palestinian cause and to recognize the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among which is their right to establish their independent state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The 142nd IPU session will discuss a number of important issues over a period of five days, on top of which are the role of parliaments in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic, and parliamentary strategies to enhance peace and security in the face of threats and conflicts resulting from climate related disasters, the generalization of digitization and the circular economy to achieve sustainable development.

The Shura Council delegation participating in the session includes HE Nasser bin Sulaiman Al Haidar, HE Dahlan bin Jaman Al Hamad, HE Mohammed bin Mahdi Al Ahbabi and HE Reem bint Mohammed Al Mansouri, members of the Shura Council.