Doha: Since its establishment in 1972, the Shura Council has remained committed to strengthening and expanding its external relations with parliamentary and legislative councils, and with relevant regional and international organizations. This effective approach to parliamentary diplomacy aims above all to support the State of Qatar's foreign relations, solidify its international standing, and contribute to global peace and security.
According to Qatar News Agency, the Shura Council has consistently fulfilled this important role throughout its previous sessions over the past years, with the support of wise leadership. It has worked to effectively employ parliamentary diplomacy and translate its goals into tangible outcomes on the ground. This includes building relationships and strengthening cooperation with various parliamentary and international organizations, thereby promoting international parliamentary collaboration in pursuit of peace, justice, and sustainable development.
In an exclusive statement, HE Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council Dr. Hamda bint Hassan Al Sulaiti affirmed the Council's active role in supporting the country's foreign policy through vibrant parliamentary diplomacy, which complements official diplomacy. She stated that recognizing the importance of this diplomacy, the Council has developed a strategic plan outlining its vision, mission, objectives, and programs.
HE noted that this proactive approach has contributed to strengthening the State of Qatar's relations with several regional and international parliaments and organizations, through consistent participation in parliamentary forums, exchange of official visits, and hosting of legislative leaders. These efforts have helped to consolidate Qatar's parliamentary presence on the global stage, she added.
The Council has also played a notable role in representing Qatar's positions on regional and international issues, particularly those related to peace, human rights, and sustainable development, through its participation in the meetings of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Arab Parliament, and other international bodies. Dr. Al Sulaiti highlighted the importance of parliamentary friendship groups, describing them as one of the Council's key diplomatic mechanisms, as they help strengthen ties with the peoples of sisterly and friendly countries.
Through its active presence at these events, the Council seeks to build communication and cooperation with parliaments worldwide, promoting international parliamentary solidarity, sharing legislative experiences, and exploring joint solutions to current crises. HE emphasized that the Council's diplomatic efforts run parallel to Qatar's official diplomacy, enhancing the country's presence on both the official and public levels.
In this regard, HE highlighted the Council's participation in parliamentary conferences supporting the Palestinian cause, its public stances on various humanitarian crises, and its hosting of several parliamentary events in cooperation with the United Nations. These initiatives have highlighted the humanitarian dimension of Qatar's foreign policy and helped strengthen people-to-people ties between Qatar and other nations.
HE the Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council said that through its participation in international events and bilateral meetings, the Council has proactively expressed full support for the State's efforts to resolve crises through peaceful means. HE added that several parliaments in countries experiencing conflict and war have requested the State of Qatar's mediation to help resolve disputes and tensions.
The Shura Council has established six Qatari parliamentary friendship groups with the parliaments of brotherly and friendly countries, which aim to strengthen and expand cooperation in various areas of parliamentary work and to exchange perspectives on bilateral, regional, and international issues of shared interest. The Council's participation in global parliamentary events and its bilateral meetings with senior parliamentarians contribute to accurately portraying Qatar's development, highlighting its positions and policies, and strengthening its ties with various nations.
HE Member of the Shura Council and Chairman of the Qatar-Latin America and Caribbean Parliamentary Friendship Group, Abdullah bin Ali Al Sulaiti, affirmed that parliamentary diplomacy is an effective tool in supporting Qatar's foreign relations by promoting dialogue between peoples, bringing cultures together, and participating in international forums. Al Sulaiti said that these efforts complement the official work of Qatari diplomacy and contribute to creating a more stable international environment.
The Shura Council concluded Monday its First Legislative Term of the annual session (50-53) with notable success, marked by its efforts, initiatives, and positions that effectively conveyed the views of the Qatari people on various regional and international issues. These accomplishments reflect the Council's commitment to leveraging parliamentary diplomacy to safeguard national interests and advocate for the concerns of the nation.