GCC Parliaments Align on Shared Goals for Asian Parliamentary Cooperation

 A delegation from the Bahraini parliamentary bloc praised the efforts of Gulf legislatures in strengthening parliamentary partnerships across the Gulf, Arab, and Asian regions. The delegation emphasized the importance of shared visions and consensus among parliaments and legislative councils in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, appreciating the commitment of GCC parliamentary leaders to ongoing joint work and mutual coordination with friendly Asian parliaments.

The delegation also welcomed the continuation of regular coordination meetings, which facilitate the exchange of perspectives on a wide range of issues discussed in various parliamentary forums.

The remarks came during a virtual coordination meeting of Gulf legislative councils held on Monday, ahead of Bahrain hosting next week the Permanent Committee on Economic Affairs and Sustainable Development of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly. The Bahraini delegation was led by MP Ahmed Sabah Al-Salloum, Chairman of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee of the Council of Representatives, Vice President of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, and Chair of the Permanent Committee on Economy and Sustainable Development in the Assembly. The delegation also included MPs Badr Saleh Al-Tamimi, Abdul Hakim Saleh Al-Shanno, Dr. Jamila Mohammed Reza Al-Salman, Chair of the Services Committee in the Shura Council, Dr. Abdulaziz Hassan Abl, and Dr. Hani Ali Al-Sawati, both members of the Shura Council.

The Gulf coordination meeting focused on aligning shared visions and narrowing differences on agenda items for the upcoming Asian Parliamentary Assembly committee meeting. Key topics discussed included the creation of an Asian energy market, environmental issues, economic growth, supporting the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals, the Asian financial climate initiative, poverty eradication, and access to water and sanitation across Asia.

The Gulf coordination meetings aim to activate parliamentary diplomacy, exchange regional experiences, address common Gulf issues, and strengthen ongoing cooperation among Gulf parliaments within the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, with the goal of advancing the interests of Gulf peoples and contributing to the broader welfare of Asia.