Tashkent: The Sultanate of Oman took part in the 150th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and its related meetings held in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.
Throughout the five-day event, Khalid bin Hilal Al Maawali, Chairman of the Shura Council, engaged in discussions with Tanzila Narbaeva, Chairperson of the Senate of Uzbekistan.
An official dialogue took place between the two leaders, highlighting the significance of enhancing Omani-Uzbek relations to new levels.
This collaboration is expected to bolster cooperation across various sectors, facilitate the exchange of expertise among legislative councils, and promote economic and investment partnerships between the two nations.
The Omani delegation at the General Assembly was led by Khalid bin Hilal Al Maawali, Chairman of the Shura Council.
The agenda for the General Assembly includes the election of the President for the 150th session, deliberation on requests to add an emergency item to the agenda, and a general debate titled “Parliamentary Work for Development and Social Justice.”
Additionally, the Omani delegation participated in coordination meetings for the Arab Parliamentary Group, the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, the Union of Parliaments of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Member States, and discussions with the Gulf Councils, Grulac Group, and Latin American countries.
They will also be involved in the meetings of the Union’s Governing Council, the General Assembly, the Women Parliamentarians Forum, the Young Parliamentarians Forum, and other related sessions.
The Secretary-General of the Shura Council will take part in the meetings of the Association of Secretaries-General of National Parliaments.
Additionally, the Omani delegation will engage in the sessions of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s standing committees, which include the Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights, the Standing Committee on International Peace and Security, and the Standing Committee on United Nations Affairs.
The IPU committee meetings are set to cover various topics, such as conflicts impacting sustainable development, a discussion regarding a draft resolution on the role of parliaments in promoting the two-state solution in Palestine, and a follow-up on the implementation of a resolution concerning the effects of artificial intelligence on democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and elections.
Several workshops and discussion panels will be organized alongside the 150th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, focusing on issues like utilizing religious and moral values to foster parliamentary dialogue and peaceful coexistence, as well as improving parliamentary communication.
The delegation includes Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Nadabi, Secretary General of Majlis Al Shura; Dr. Hanifah bint Ahmed Al Qaasmi, a member of the State Council; Dr. Shamsa bint Masaud Al Shibani, also a member of the State Council; and Khuwaidim bin Mohammed Al Mashani, Ammar bin Salim Al Saadi, and Walid bin Salim Al Maliki, all members of Majlis Al Shura.
It is important to highlight that the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the largest international parliamentary organization in the world, with a rich history that dates back to June 30, 1889.
It includes over 179 parliaments, along with 65 non-permanent members who represent international organizations and civil society groups.
Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the Union promotes peace, democracy, human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment, and sustainable development through political dialogue, collaboration, and parliamentary efforts, while also improving women's representation in parliament.
