Shura Council... Strengthening Qatar's Global Standing Through Parliamentary Diplomacy

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) 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.


By incorporating parliamentary diplomacy into its missions and activities-an approach primarily focused outward-the Council has played a vital role in building bridges of peace and understanding among nations and peoples. As a form of soft diplomacy, it emphasizes the critical role of parliaments in fostering participation and supporting development efforts, in alignment with the international agenda and in accordance with the policies and legislation formulated by parliaments to serve the interests of their people.


The Shura Council has consistently and successfully fulfilled this important role throughout its previous sessions over the past years, with the support of the 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-goals that peoples around the world aspire to, especially in light of the prevailing instability and insecurity affecting many parts of the world today.


In exclusive statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), 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, the Arab and Asian Parliamentary Union, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM), and the Parliamentary Union of Organization of Islamic Cooperation, thereby enhancing Qatar's status and affirming its role as an active partner in global parliamentary dialogue, HE said.


Dr. Al Sulaiti also 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. She explained that through these groups-which connect the Council with its counterparts across various continents-parliamentary visits, meetings, and dialogues are exchanged, contributing to greater familiarity and closeness among peoples, deepening mutual understanding, and expanding avenues of cooperation beyond traditional official frameworks.


HE added that these groups have served to build cultural and civilizational bridges between the State of Qatar and other countries, by introducing foreign representatives to Qatari traditions and customs, while also learning about other cultures. This exchange supports cooperation in education, tourism, and development, benefiting all nations, she added.


HE also emphasized the Council's strong commitment to participating in regional and international parliamentary conferences, meetings and events, underlining the belief that collective parliamentary action is essential for addressing complex global challenges.


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 said.


HE underlined that such participation helps to promote values of dialogue, understanding, and peaceful coexistence, while reaffirming the Council's dedication to supporting global peace and security efforts, defending just causes-foremost among them the Palestinian cause-and amplifying Qatar's voice in advocating for human rights, respect for state sovereignty, and rejection of violence and extremism. These contributions, she said, have enhanced Qatar's presence as a responsible and influential actor in the international community - something that has been clearly observed in many meetings.


Her Excellency stressed that the parliamentary diplomacy represented by the Shura Council runs parallel to the State of Qatar's official and humanitarian diplomacy, in a complementary framework that enhances 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, she said, have also highlighted the humanitarian dimension of Qatar's foreign policy and helped strengthen people-to-people ties between Qatar and other nations.


Regarding the Council's role in supporting the State of Qatar's mediation efforts regionally and internationally, Dr. Al Sulaiti noted that the country's commitment to peaceful conflict resolution has earned broad international recognition, and is a source of pride for the Council. She described this as a reflection of Qatar's core foreign policy principles based on dialogue, respect for sovereignty, and rejection of violence and extremism.


HE said that the Council recognizes that Qatar's success as a trusted mediator on the international stage requires a complementary approach, with parliamentary diplomacy playing a supportive role by engaging directly with legislative bodies in various countries and clarifying Qatar's stances and its noble humanitarian and political motivations.


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, noting that this has been evident in its declared stances on the situation in Palestine and other conflict zones, as well as in parliamentary meetings where Council members have emphasized the importance of dialogue and negotiation as a strategic approach to conflict resolution-fully aligned with Qatar's pioneering vision in this regard. 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.

As part of its active role in parliamentary diplomacy, the Shura Council has undertaken numerous visits and actively participated in a wide range of parliamentary events and conferences at both regional and international levels. These include, for example, its engagement in the activities and programs of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), its reception of numerous visiting parliamentary delegations, and its hosting of several events related to parliamentary affairs. Collectively, these efforts reflect the honorable image of the State of Qatar, its clear policies, and its firm positions on a variety of global issues.


Throughout its participation in these events and meetings, the Council has engaged in a number of pressing issues, conveying the views of the Qatari public on current developments. Chief among these is the brutal aggression against the Gaza Strip. The Shura Council voiced the Qatari people's strong rejection and condemnation of the aggression and worked tirelessly to mobilize international support to end the war, protect the Palestinian people, and ensure the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid. The Council consistently used these platforms to call on parliamentarians to urge their governments to act to stop the war and aggression on Gaza.


The Shura Council's supportive role in advancing issues related to peace and security is widely acknowledged by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and by parliaments of brotherly and friendly nations. Its active presence in international parliamentary initiatives reflects Qatar's dynamic diplomacy, which is now recognized globally as a model for mediation, negotiation, conflict resolution through peaceful means, dialogue, and the promotion of a culture of peace and international understanding.


Notably, in 2019, the State of Qatar, represented by the Shura Council, hosted the 140th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and its accompanying meetings. This assembly was considered one of the most successful in the IPU's history, with broad participation and significant international recognition.


The Shura Council has established six Qatari parliamentary friendship groups with the parliaments of brotherly and friendly countries. These groups 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 friendship groups include the Qatar-Arab Friendship Group, the Qatar-Asia Friendship Group, the Qatar-Africa Friendship Group, the Qatar-Europe Friendship Group, the Qatar Friendship Group with the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and the Qatar-Latin America and the Caribbean Friendship Group.


Additionally, the agreements and memorandums of understanding signed between the Shura Council and other legislative bodies serve as key tools for enhancing cultural exchange, building bridges of dialogue and understanding, fostering mutual trust and awareness, and promoting cooperation among parliamentarians. These efforts help reduce misunderstandings, align initiatives, strengthen strategic partnerships, and encourage innovation in addressing global challenges. They also support the development of impactful initiatives that emphasize the vital role of parliamentary diplomacy and affirm the importance of parliaments and parliamentarians in meeting the aspirations of their peoples and defending their rights.


HE Chairman of the Shura Council's Internal and External Affairs Committee, Yousef bin Ali Al Khater, stated in an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the Council has taken on an increasingly prominent role in advancing parliamentary diplomacy - now a key pillar in strengthening Qatar's ties with peoples and nations worldwide.


He emphasized that the Council is committed to ensuring its participation in regional and international parliamentary forums serves as a platform for conveying the voice of the Qatari people and expressing their stance on humanitarian and just causes. These efforts complement official diplomacy and reinforce Qatar's image as a nation committed to dialogue and openness to other cultures.


His Excellency explained that through parliamentary friendship groups and bilateral meetings with legislative counterparts around the world, the Council has contributed to building bridges of understanding between peoples, enhancing cultural exchange, and fostering cooperation in areas of mutual benefit. He noted that the Council places particular importance on supporting Qatar's mediation efforts and promoting regional peace - positions it consistently expresses in international forums.


Al Khater affirmed that the Shura Council, especially through its specialized committees - chief among them the Internal and External Affairs Committee - serves as a key partner in supporting Qatar's foreign policy and in strengthening its international relations. The Council works in close alignment with the country's foreign policy through ongoing engagement with regional and international parliaments and by actively promoting its parliamentary friendship groups. These efforts help consolidate bilateral ties and broaden the scope of joint cooperation, grounded in mutual understanding and respect.

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