Bahrain Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid opens 146th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Over 1,700 parliamentarians from around the globe witnessed yesterday as the Kingdom kick-started proceeding of the 146th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) at the Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) in Sakhir.
The event began with a welcoming speech on behalf of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa by Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the Deputy Prime Minister.
In the inaugural address, Shaikh Khalid reaffirmed Bahrain’s commitment to join efforts and improve global security, stability and peace, terming the 146th IPU as a “global meeting of minds”.
The event, he said, reflects the confidence of the international community in Bahrain’s ability to host high-profile diplomatic events.
Drawing attention towards the “exceptional circumstance” the world is enduring, Shaikh Khalid urged joint actions and diplomacy to settle disputes for just, comprehensive and lasting peace.
The Deputy Prime Minister further stressed the need to encourage international humanitarian action and reiterated call to criminalise religious, sectarian and racist hate speech in all its forms.
The opening ceremony was in the presence of IPU President Duarte Pacheco, IPU Secretary-General Martin Chungong, Speaker of the Council of Representatives Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam and Chairman of the Shura Council Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh.
Ahmed Al Musallam, Speaker, in his address, reviewed the democratic experience of Bahrain, which extends over 100 years since the first municipal elections in 1912.
He also reviewed the Kingdom’s experience of tolerance and coexistence, which has its roots dating back thousands of years.
Shaikha Haya Al Khalifa, a member of the Council of Presidents of the United Nations General Assembly, told the participants that the world needs people like you to help raise voices on tolerance, coexistence and peace.
She stressed the need for resolving disputes through negotiation and helping people to live freely and equally with security.
Shaikha Haya further expressed concern about the increasing amount of hatred in society, particularly in the context of social media.
She emphasized the importance of fostering a new culture that promotes tolerance and modern scientific knowledge and provides hope for future generations.
Numerous speeches were delivered during the ceremony, including a significant one by United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, which was recorded in a video format.
Parliamentary committees had started their meetings early morning yesterday ahead of the official opening ceremony held in the evening.
This year, the IPU membership is expected to increase to 179 with the readmission of Liberia, a founding member of the IPU in 1889 whose membership lapsed in 2011.
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