Istanbul: The parliamentary delegation of the Kingdom of Bahrain has concluded its participation in the 152nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), held in the Republic of Trkiye, from April 15 to 19, with broad participation from parliaments worldwide. Bahrain's participation reflected an active parliamentary presence across the Union's meetings and events.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam, Speaker of the Council of Representatives and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the parliamentary delegation, affirmed that Bahrain's participation underscores its commitment to strengthening its presence in international parliamentary forums and advancing parliamentary diplomacy in support of national interests. He noted that the meetings contributed to deepening inter-parliamentary cooperation and facilitating the exchange of legislative expertise and experiences.
Al Musallam added that, during committee meetings and bilateral engagements with speakers and representatives of several brotherly and friendly countries, the Bahraini delegation highlighted the unjustified Iranian attacks targeting the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, describing them as a grave violation of national security and stability. He noted that these attacks were met with international condemnation through United Nations Security Council Resolution (2817), sponsored by 136 countries, and United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution (38), adopted unanimously with the support of 115 countries. These resolutions, he said, reflect a clear international stance condemning the Iranian attacks and calling for an immediate cessation of aggression against GCC states and Jordan, while stressing the need to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and ensure freedom of navigation.
He said that Bahrain's participation in the largest global parliamentary gathering reflects the Legislative Authority's commitment to supporting international parliamentary action and enhancing cooperation and coordination with parliaments worldwide, thereby promoting constructive dialogue, addressing shared challenges, and highlighting the role of Bahraini parliamentary diplomacy at all levels.
Led by the Speaker of the Council of Representatives, the delegation maintained an active presence in plenary sessions, standing committee meetings, the Forum of Women Parliamentarians, and the Bureau and Forum of Young Parliamentarians, in addition to workshops and panel discussions addressing a range of issues related to development, stability, and the promotion of global peace and security.
The delegation contributed to discussions on key global challenges, foremost among them enhancing security and stability, supporting sustainable development efforts, addressing climate change, strengthening food security, and keeping pace with digital transformation. It also supported initiatives aimed at protecting human rights and promoting dialogue and mutual understanding among peoples. The delegation presented a number of proposals and perspectives during deliberations on items listed on the standing committees' agendas, as well as in accompanying workshops, reflecting Bahrain's constructive and active role in advancing international parliamentary cooperation.
The delegation also participated in meetings of the Governing Council, which saw the adoption of decisions issued by the standing committees, the approval of reports, and the issuance of the final document encapsulating the outcomes of deliberations and international parliamentary consensus, thereby reinforcing the role of parliaments in supporting global security and stability.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union issued the "Istanbul Declaration", reaffirming parliaments' commitment to fostering hope, preserving peace, and ensuring justice for future generations amid accelerating global challenges, increasing conflicts, geopolitical tensions, and complex economic and social issues. The declaration underscored the need to intensify joint international efforts and strengthen the principles of multilateral cooperation.
It further stressed the importance of reinforcing democratic foundations, upholding the rule of law, and respecting human rights as key pillars for achieving stability and sustainable development, in addition to empowering youth and women, enhancing community participation in decision-making, and addressing challenges related to poverty and inequality to build more inclusive and equitable societies.
The declaration also highlighted the vital role of parliaments in keeping pace with rapid technological transformations, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence, through the development of effective legislative and oversight frameworks to ensure the responsible use of technology. It emphasised the importance of parliamentary diplomacy and international dialogue as essential tools for building trust and resolving disputes peacefully, thereby supporting global peace and stability.