Moroccan Delegation Engages in 147th IPU Assembly in Angola

Members of the National Parliamentary Section of the Moroccan Parliament have actively participated in the 147th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the 212th session of the Governing Council, along with associated meetings. The event, hosted by the National Assembly of the Republic of Angola in the capital city, Luanda, spans from October 23 to October 27. The Moroccan parliamentary delegation played a crucial role in discussions at the African and Arab geopolitical groups. These preliminary meetings, held on October 20 and 21, were marked by exchanges on urgent agenda items for the IPU General Assembly, addressing vacancies in IPU bodies, and extending support to a candidate vying for the IPU presidency, according to an official statement released by the Moroccan Parliament. A significant point of discussion during the Assembly was the recommendations stemming from the Conference on Interfaith Dialogue, notably focusing on the Marrakech Declaration. This declaration calls for the establishment of an institutional mechanism within the IPU, based on the outcomes of the Marrakech Conference. Its primary goal is to examine best practices, monitor evolving trends, and make proposals in the field of interfaith dialogue, reinforcing the importance of dialogue among different faiths. Throughout the Assembly, Moroccan parliamentary delegates actively participated in the work of various IPU bodies, which encompass the Governing Council, Standing Committees, the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, the Committee on Middle East Questions, the Forum of Women Parliamentarians, and the Forum of Young Parliamentarians. Key to the Moroccan delegation’s engagement was the address delivered by the First Vice-President of the House of Representatives, Mohammed Sabbari, on behalf of the Moroccan Parliament. Sabbari focused on the theme chosen for the Assembly, “Parliamentary Action for Peace, Justice, and Effective Institutions.” This theme aligns with the 16th Sustainable Development Goal established by the United Nations. Additionally, participants at the event explored strategies to encourage parliamentary measures aimed at enacting laws and regulations to govern societies, oversee government actions, and contribute to the creation of a more peaceful, just, and prosperous world. Najib El Khadi, the Secretary-General of the House of Representatives, presided over a critical meeting of the Association of Secretaries-General of Parliaments that are members of the IPU. The meeting addressed several pressing topics, including the role of parliamentary administration in regulation and the utilization of artificial intelligence, the promotion of transparency and parliamentary accountability through improved institutional communication, and renewing representative democracy in times of crisis, focusing on challenges and opportunities. One of the notable highlights of the Assembly was the election of a new president for the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Four candidates from Senegal, Malawi, Tanzania, and Somalia contested for this prestigious position. The event also anticipated the adoption of a significant resolution regarding the topic discussed by the Permanent Committee on Democracy and Human Rights, which focused on “The role of parliaments in combating child trafficking in orphanages.” The Assembly was slated to conclude with the adoption of a final document summarizing the general debate’s theme. The Moroccan parliamentary delegation, composed of members from the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors, featured prominent figures from various political groups, including the Authenticity and Modernity Group, the National Rally of Independents Group, the Istiqlal Group for Unity and Egalitarianism, and the Socialist-Opposition Ittihadi Group. Their active participation underscored Morocco’s commitment to international cooperation, dialogue, and promoting peace and justice on a global scale.