The World Cannot Ignore Hormuz

The strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz and the need to safeguard freedom of navigation and the uninterrupted movement of vital resources took centre stage at an international parliamentary discussion in Samarkand yesterday. 

The issue was highlighted by MP Hassan Ibrahim Hassan, member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Bureau of Young Parliamentarians and representative of the Arab Group, who chaired an open interactive session titled “When Maritime Corridors Become a Human Rights Issue: The Role of Young Parliamentarians in Protecting Global Energy Security.”

The session was held as part of the 12th IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians in Samarkand, Republic of Uzbekistan, being held under the theme “Reclaiming Human Rights, Justice and Dignity for All in Turbulent Times.”

The session followed the selection of a proposal submitted by the Bahrain Parliamentary Division for the third consecutive year. The proposal was chosen following strong international competition with Canada, Germany and Malta.

MP Hassan Ibrahim said the escalation and disruption of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz had demonstrated the vulnerability of the global economy to threats targeting major international energy routes.

He stressed that the Strait of Hormuz represents one of the world's most important maritime corridors, linking economies and markets stretching from Asia to Europe and connecting interests across the globe.

He underlined that preserving freedom of navigation and ensuring the smooth and uninterrupted flow of resources through the waterway should be regarded as major international responsibilities, given the Strait's significance to global energy security and economic stability.