Geneva: The Shura Council took part in the sessions of the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, which was organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva, Switzerland, from July 29 to 31, 2025.
Khalid Hilal Al Maawali, Chairman of the Shura Council, led Oman's delegation to the conference, which was themed A world in chaos: Parliamentary collaboration and multilateralism for peace, justice, and prosperity for all.
In a speech at the conference, Al Maawali said that the world is experiencing a critical time marked by increasing armed conflicts, rising refugee and displaced people, and food, energy, and climate change challenges. This, he said, necessitates strong collaboration between parliaments, as well as unified efforts to address difficulties and achieve peace and sustainable development.
Al Maawali stated that the Sultanate of Oman has long functioned as a cultural bridge between countries and communities, owing to the country's long history of peacemaking and its established approach based on negotiation, openness, and humanitarian communication.
Al Maawali emphasized that parliamentary action should be an effective platform for promoting understanding, despite differing viewpoints and visions.
Al Maawali spoke out in favor of the Palestinian cause, stating that the Palestinian people have legitimate rights that are protected by international law and UN treaties, the most important of which is the right to establish their own independent state on their territory.
Al Maawali voiced grave worry over the worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. He urged national and international governments to take strong action to stop these crimes, guarantee the quick and safe distribution of humanitarian help, and work toward a long-term peace based on the Two-State Solution.
The Shura Council provided two working papers. The first, titled Innovation for the Future, addressed existing issues such as armed wars and climate change, as well as the function of politicians in increasing security by fostering trust and promoting inclusion.
The second document focused on ways for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, with an emphasis on the Sultanate of Oman's activities in this area.
On the margins of the conference, Al Maawali consulted with the heads of Arab, regional, and worldwide parliamentary and legislative councils. The meetings emphasized the need of strengthening bilateral ties between the Sultanate of Oman and the countries involved. They also discussed current events, with a particular focus on the situation in the Gaza Strip.
