On April 6, 2025, the Kingdom of Bahrain emphasized the critical need for coordination, cooperation, and consensus among Asian, Islamic, and African parliamentary groups to bolster support for the Palestinian cause. This declaration was made during the participation of the Bahraini parliamentary delegation, led by Jamal Mohammed Fakhro, the First Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council, in the Asian Parliamentary Assembly and the Islamic Parliamentary Assembly meetings held on April 5, 2025, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. These discussions took place on the sidelines of the 150th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and related meetings, as reported by the Bahrain News Agency (BNA).
During the meetings, representatives from Asian and Islamic parliaments addressed the items on the agenda of the General Assembly, exchanging views on how to tackle current challenges, particularly in relation to supporting the Palestinian cause and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. Fakhro expressed the Bahraini parliamentary delegation's strong support for the urgent item concerning assistance to the Palestinian people in Gaza, highlighting the necessity of enhancing parliamentary collaboration among Asian and Islamic nations.
Fakhro underscored the importance of ongoing joint efforts to support shared interests, with the Palestinian issue at the forefront. He praised the commitment of parliaments within the Asian Parliamentary Group and the Union of Councils of Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to coordinate positions and unify visions in the face of regional challenges, while also enhancing development pathways in member states.
He further stressed the need for continued coordination and collaborative action in international parliamentary forums, which he believes strengthens the positions of Asian and Islamic countries on various issues, particularly those related to humanitarian and developmental crises affecting the region's populations.
Meanwhile, Muhammad bin Ahmed Al-Yamahi, President of the Arab Parliament, reaffirmed that the Arab Parliament will not spare any effort in supporting sincere endeavors to serve Arab causes, with the Palestinian cause being the foremost priority. This statement was made during the coordination meeting of the Arab Group at the Inter-Parliamentary Union, held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, ahead of the official meetings for the 150th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which runs from April 5 to April 9, 2025.
The purpose of this meeting was to align Arab positions regarding the topics on the agenda of the General Assembly, as well as to discuss requests for urgent items to be included on the agenda and to agree on candidates for vacant positions within the Inter-Parliamentary Union's executive committee and standing and subsidiary committees.
Al-Yamahi emphasized that this participation is a product of the constructive cooperation between the Arab Parliamentary Union and the Arab Parliament, which has been strengthened by a memorandum of cooperation signed by both parties during the seventh conference of the Arab Parliament and the heads of Arab councils and parliaments in February.
He pointed out that the Arab Parliament aims to build on this close cooperation to enhance the role of Arab parliamentary diplomacy in defending Arab causes and serving the interests of the larger Arab populace.
As these discussions unfold, the emphasis on solidarity among parliamentary groups highlights the urgent need for a unified approach to the Palestinian issue, especially in light of ongoing conflicts and humanitarian crises in the region. The collaborative efforts of Bahrain and the Arab Parliament reflect a broader commitment to ensuring that the plight of the Palestinian people remains a priority on the international stage.
In conclusion, both Bahrain and the Arab Parliament are taking significant steps to foster a unified stance among their respective groups, advocating for the Palestinian cause and addressing the humanitarian needs of those affected by the ongoing violence in Gaza. Their efforts underscore the importance of international cooperation in resolving longstanding conflicts and promoting peace and stability in the region.
