15th APA Plenary successfully concluded with adoption of a final declaration
Asian Lawmakers gathered in Baku to convene the 15 APA Plenary underlined the central role of APA as a significant platform for parliamentary diplomacy.
Present in Baku, the capital city of the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend the annual APA Plenary Session on 18-20 February 2025, the APA delegations voiced out their full support for the promotion of multilateralism in Asia through parliamentary cooperation.
Convened for three days at the invitation of Speaker of the Milli Majles, H.E. Sahiba Ghafarova, in her capacity as the APA Term President, the 15th APA Plenary warmly received in Baku large number of the Asian MPs and parliamentary experts from 26 APA member parliaments, led mostly by high-ranking officials at the speakership levels. Representatives of 7 parliamentary organizations also attended this important event.
The main theme of the Meeting entitled” Role of Parliamentary Diplomacy in Developing Multilateral Asian Cooperation”, was the focus of general debate which pinpointed the central features of parliaments and parliamentary democracy from various aspects in the advancement of parliamentary diplomacy.
Participants at the meeting centered their statements on the significant role of parliamentary diplomacy characterized by its multilateral dimensions and exchanged views on the regional and global status of parliaments as the voice of their people in the face of the unilateral threats targeting erosion of peace and security and territorial integrity of the countries in the region and the world.
The meeting inaugurated with an invigorating address by H.E Dr. Sahiba Gafarova, honorable Speaker of the Milli Mejlis of Azerbaijan who warmly welcomed the participants for their enthusiastic presence and fruitful contribution.
In part of her inaugural speech, she underlined a number of priority areas set as part of the responsibility of the APA President which included developing institutional capacity of the APA, expanding its membership and revitalization of existing institutions and improving the efficiency of capacity of the organization.
The 2nd speaker in the inaugural session was the APA Secretary General, Dr. Mohammad Reza Majidi, who made an appreciative and much promising remark on the activities of the APA and the new policies outlined by the APA Secretariat to speed up advancement of its programs in the coming years.
In part of his address, Dr. Majidi underscored the vital role of parliamentary diplomacy at this crucial juncture when the whole world is facing with multifaceted challenges. He also denounced the unilateral policies exercised globally in contravention of all the international rules and norms with the aim of undermining peace and security.
The APA Secretary General also expressed grave concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip after 15 months of Zionist Entity’s war crimes, adding that there would be little hope for continuation of the fragile ceasefire currently settled in the war-torn Enclave which reduced to rubble by the Zionist regime.
Dr. Majidi further highlighted valuable dimensions of parliamentary cooperation and stressed that parliamentary diplomacy must be further strengthened in order to be able to prevent collapse of international peace and security.
Other members in turn expressed their viewpoints on the main theme of the meeting and addressed their grave concern over the dire situation of the Palestinian people. They also called on international community to intensify their effort for restoration of the inalienable rights of the people of Palestine.
Parallel to the 15th Plenary, the four Standing Committees also convened their sessions under the chair of their concerned Vice-President and related resolutions before each Committee were considered and adopted following necessary deliberations and exchange of views on the proposed amendments.
Other items of vital importance were the decisions adopted by the Executive Council as the pillar of the decision-making organ, held the day before the Plenary Session to decide on the future term of the APA presidency of the Organization.
At its meeting held on Monday 18 February, the Executive Council covered several items of significance in its agenda, particularly election of the APA president for the future terms up to 2028. Islamic Parliament of Iran and Bahrain Parliament were the two nominees who expressed their interest to take over the APA Presidency.
In an interactive session characterized with fruitful consultations among members of the Executive Council under the good offices of the APA Secretary General and the Chair, the two candidates agreed in a friendly environment that Bahrain Parliament would take over the APA Presidency for the year 2026 and the following two years term in 2027 -2028, the APA presidency be entrusted to the Islamic Parliament of Iran.
As regards the position of the four APA Vice-Presidents for 2025, Russia, Qatar and Bahrain were endorsed to continue their terms as the Chair and host of their concerned Standing Committees.
The Executive Council also endorsed candidacy of Iran as Vice-President to host and chair the Standing Committee on Political Affairs in 2025 and that of the Standing Committee for Economic and Sustainable Development in 2026.
In another development, the request of Sultanate of Oman for affiliation to the APA as full member was adopted. The meeting also endorsed the request of Belarus to be granted observer status in APA.
Adoption of the Baku Declaration marked the conclusion of the proceeding of the 15th plenary. On the closing date of the meeting, participant successfully adopted the final outcome document with a central focus on the role of parliaments and their constructive initiatives in strengthening and advancing multilateral cooperation in Asia and rejection of any coercive measures against any member state.
Strengthening of multilateralism and transparent global governance based on international law and rejection of unilateral policies were underscored.
The Declaration also calls on withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied Palestinian territory urging with special emphasis on humanitarian relief to Gaza and rehabilitation of the inhabitants in the war-ravaged Enclave.
Finally, the Baku Deliration rejects any foreign plans regarding future of Palestinian and post-war Gaza, reaffirming the establishment of an independent and sovereign state of Palestine with its capital Al Quds.
- 21 February 2025
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- News ID: 4220
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