Tuesday 21 / October / 2025
Muscat: The Shura Council participated in the 151st General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and its associated meetings, held in Geneva, Switzerland, under the theme: “Adhering to Humanitarian Norms and Supporting Humanitarian Work in Times of Crisis.”
Khalid Hilal Al Maawali, Chairman of the Shura Council, underscored the importance of enhancing joint humanitarian action and upholding the values of justice and peace.
He highlighted the Sultanate of Oman’s contributions in this field and emphasised the significance of this international forum in promoting humanitarian values and reinforcing solidarity and cooperation among parliaments for a more peaceful and sustainable future.
He pointed out that the meeting comes at a critical juncture that demands intensified global efforts to tackle ongoing humanitarian, economic, and political challenges. He affirmed that safeguarding humanitarian efforts during crises is both a moral and ethical obligation, noting that successive crises from armed conflicts to natural disasters and economic turmoil have placed unprecedented pressure on humanitarian operations. This, he stated, calls for strict adherence to humanitarian principles and the strengthening of legislative frameworks that ensure neutrality, independence, non-discrimination, and the unhindered delivery of aid without politicisation.
He. further emphasised that humanitarian work represents a universal language among nations, and that preserving human dignity in times of crisis reflects the true awareness and compassion of societies. He stressed the need for a unified global vision that puts humanity at the core of all initiatives, adding that enhanced parliamentary cooperation, experience sharing, and the launch of joint legislative and awareness campaigns are essential pillars for the effective implementation of international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians and global peace.
Highlighting Oman’s role in the humanitarian domain, he stated that the Sultanate has embedded humanitarian work into its national policy, with Oman Vision 2040 placing social solidarity and community responsibility at the heart of building a cohesive and sustainable society. He affirmed that humanitarian and charitable efforts are integral to Oman’s national identity. Oman, through its official institutions primarily the Oman Charitable Organisation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, volunteer teams, and grassroots initiatives has consistently provided impartial humanitarian assistance to countries affected by natural disasters and conflicts. This reflects Oman’s policy of positive neutrality and genuine humanitarianism.
He also noted Oman’s active engagement with international humanitarian organisations, including the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to build more effective national and regional crisis management and rapid response capacities.
He further stressed that supporting humanitarian action is inseparable from supporting humanitarian justice. He decried the suffering of innocent civilians in conflict zones as a flagrant violation of humanitarian values and international agreements, urging the international community to fulfill its moral and humanitarian responsibilities, protect humanitarian institutions and workers, and uphold international humanitarian law as a cornerstone for safeguarding human dignity.
He reiterated that parliaments bear a significant responsibility in advancing these values through the enactment of supportive legislation, oversight of implementation, and the adoption of initiatives that ensure the sustainability of relief efforts. He called for a unified parliamentary stance to build a world grounded in justice and humanity. He concluded by emphasising that the world today faces a genuine test of its commitment to human values, stating that the true worth of humanitarian efforts should be measured by sincerity of intent, not by financial contributions.
In addition to the General Assembly, Al Maawali chaired the 2025 Extraordinary Conference of the Arab Parliamentary Union, held on the sidelines of the IPU’s 151st session. The meeting brought together heads and members of Arab parliaments, as well as representatives of relevant regional and international parliamentary organisations. Discussions focused on recent political and security developments in the Arab world, particularly the Palestinian issue and the situation in Gaza following the recent ceasefire agreement.
The conference also explored practical steps for the post-war phase, including reconstruction efforts in Gaza and coordinating Arab and international support for the Palestinian people. Participants condemned the recent attack on the State of Qatar and stressed the importance of Arab solidarity in the face of any violations of Arab states’ sovereignty.
The final communiqué of the conference welcomed the Gaza ceasefire agreement and the commencement of its first phase, describing it as a victory for peace and dialogue over violence and war. The statement praised the diplomatic efforts led by Egypt and Qatar in facilitating negotiations and called on the international community to support the Palestinian people through urgent humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts. It also underscored the importance of leveraging current global momentum to advocate for full membership of the State of Palestine in the United Nations.
On the sidelines of the IPU General Assembly, Al Ma’awali held several bilateral meetings to enhance parliamentary diplomacy. He met with Mohamed Ahmed Al Yamahi, President of the Arab Parliament, where they discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the Shura Council and the Arab Parliament and exchanged views on regional and international issues, particularly the Palestinian cause.
Both sides emphasised the importance of unified Arab parliamentary positions in international forums, supporting Gaza reconstruction, and intensifying parliamentary efforts to advocate for the Palestinian people. They also discussed mechanisms to strengthen inter-Arab parliamentary relations and activate parliamentary diplomacy to deepen cooperation in various fields.
Al Maawali also met with Faisal Akef Al Fayez, President of the Jordanian Senate. Discussions focused on enhancing bilateral relations between Oman and Jordan and increasing coordination between the two councils, particularly in legislative matters.
Ahmed Mohammed Al Nadabi, Secretary General of the Shura Council, participated in the meeting of the Association of Secretaries General of National Parliaments, which included discussions on current challenges, innovations, and risk mitigation strategies to ensure the continuity of parliamentary functions during crises.
In the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights, represented by Mohsen Al Janibi, the council contributed to drafting a resolution titled “Recognizing and Supporting Victims of Illegal International Adoptions and Measures to Prevent Such Practices.”
In the Standing Committee on Peace and International Security, the council took part in a hearing on “The Role of Parliaments in Establishing Effective Post-Conflict Mechanisms and Restoring Just Peace,” as well as a roundtable on arms reduction and non-proliferation policies.
In the Forum of Young Parliamentarians, represented by. Nasser Al Habsi, discussions focused on evaluating recent developments in youth parliamentary engagement at the national and global levels. The forum also held elections for its bureau and deliberated on youth contributions to General Assembly resolutions.
The Shura Council was also present at the 216th Session of the IPU Governing Council, represented by H.E. Mansour Al Siyabi. The session addressed the adoption of the agenda, the election of the 151st General Assembly President, proposed amendments to the IPU’s statutes, and the Executive Committee elections.
The Shura Council’s delegation by H.E. Khalid Hilal Al Maawali, Chairman of the Council. The delegation also included H.E. Ahmed Mohammed Al Nadabi, Secretary General of the Council and Council Members H.E. Mohsen Al Janibi, H.E. Nasser Al Habsi, and H.E. Mansour Al Siyabi.
