Cairo: MP Ahmed Abdulwahed Qarata, Second Deputy Speaker of the Council of Representatives and member of the Executive Committee of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIPU), chaired the GCC coordination meeting on the sidelines of the 43rd session of the AIPU Executive Committee, which is scheduled to be held on Sunday. The meeting saw participation from the Parliamentary Division delegation, including MP Hesham Abdulaziz Al Awadhi and Dr. Saleh Ibrahim Al Ghatheeth, Chairman of the Legal Advisors Authority of the Council of Representatives.
According to Bahrain News Agency, MP Qarata emphasized that GCC consultative meetings are a testament to a shared commitment to enhancing consultation and coordination among Gulf legislative councils. The meetings aim to align views and positions on issues of mutual interest and enhance the effectiveness of the GCC parliamentary presence at regional and international forums.
The Second Deputy Speaker highlighted the significance of the GCC consultative meeting, particularly in anticipation of the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), which is set to take place in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania. This assembly offers a vital opportunity for exchanging views on the agenda and discussing ways to bolster coordination and cooperation among GCC parliaments.
During the meeting, discussions included the possibility of the Arab Group submitting an emergency item during the 153rd IPU Assembly. Additionally, a proposal by the Parliamentary Division of the Sultanate of Oman to request a second seat for the Arab Group on the IPU Executive Committee was deliberated.
The meeting also covered the Interim Financial Committee's report concerning regulations, rules, and requirements for financial audit and control. It examined the terms and criteria for appointing an internal auditor and a chartered accountant (external auditor), alongside a proposal from Bahrain's Parliamentary Division to establish permanent committees within the AIPU by 2027.