Monday 20 / October / 2025
Geneva: The Shura Council is participating in the 151st General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva, convened under the theme "Upholding Humanitarian Standards and Supporting Humanitarian Action in Times of Crisis."
In his plenary address, Khalid bin Hilal Al Ma'awali, Chairman of the Shura Council, emphasized the critical role of the assembly in reinforcing humanitarian values and fostering solidarity among parliaments to build a more peaceful and sustainable future. He stated that the meeting occurs at a pivotal moment, requiring all nations and parliaments to redouble their efforts in addressing the interconnected humanitarian, economic, and political challenges confronting the global community.
He detailed Oman's longstanding commitment to humanitarian action as a central pillar of its national policy, noting that the "Oman Vision 2040" formally enshrines social solidarity and communal responsibility as the bedrock of a cohesive and sustainable society. He described humanitarian and charitable work as an intrinsic element of the Omani national character. He further affirmed Oman's dedication to strengthening partnerships with key international humanitarian organisations, including the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to enhance national and regional capacities for effective crisis management and rapid response.
Concluding his remarks, Al Ma’awali stressed that the current global situation is a true test of nations' commitment to fundamental human values, asserting that the voice of humanity must prevail and that the merit of humanitarian work should be measured by the sincerity of its intentions, not merely the scale of its funding.
On the sidelines of the assembly, Al Ma'awali and his accompanying delegation met with Mohammed Ahmed Al Yamahi, President of the Arab Parliament. Their discussions focused on enhancing cooperation between the Shura Council and the Arab Parliament, with an exchange of views on regional and international issues, particularly the Palestinian cause. Both sides underscored the necessity of unifying Arab parliamentary positions in international forums, supporting efforts for the reconstruction of Gaza and intensifying parliamentary advocacy in solidarity with the Palestinian people. They also explored mechanisms to bolster inter-parliamentary relations and activate parliamentary diplomacy for greater collaborative outcomes.
In a parallel engagement, Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Nadabi, Secretary-General of the Shura Council, attended a meeting of the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments (ASGP). The session featured exchanges on parliamentary experiences regarding current affairs and innovations, as well as contingency measures to ensure parliamentary continuity during potential future disruptions, all aimed at sharing best practices and strengthening institutional preparedness.
The Shura Council also contributed to the work of the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights, which drafted a resolution on "Recognising and Supporting Victims of Illegal Intercountry Adoption and Taking Measures to Prevent this Practice." Participation extended to the Standing Committee on Peace and International Security, which held a hearing on "The Role of Parliaments in Establishing Effective Post-Conflict Mechanisms and Restoring Just Peace" and held a policy debate on disarmament and non-proliferation.
The Shura Council's delegation also took part in the Forum of Young Parliamentarians, discussing the evolution of youth participation in parliaments globally, electing members to the Forum's Bureau, and strategizing on how to better integrate young parliamentarians' perspectives into the IPU's agenda. Furthermore, the delegation attended the 216th Session of the IPU Governing Council, which approved the assembly agenda, elected the President of the 151st Assembly, considered proposed amendments to the IPU Statute, and held elections for the Executive Committee.
