Aljarwan at the 14th Plenary Session of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace in Skopje: The World Needs Serious Collective Action to Reduce Tensions and Strengthen Stability

Skopje – Republic of North Macedonia

The 14th Plenary Session of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace (IPTP) officially opened in Skopje, the capital of the Republic of North Macedonia, under the theme: “Advancing Tolerance and Peace: The Strategic Role of Parliaments in Shaping and Legislating Future Policies.”
The session was chaired by H.E. Afrim Gashi, Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia, and H.E. Ahmed bin Mohamed Aljarwan, President of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace (GCTP), in the presence of H.E. Timčo Mucunski, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, along with a number of parliamentary speakers, senior officials, and international parliamentary leaders.

The session was attended by H.E. Anġlu Farrugia, Speaker of the Parliament of Malta; H.E. Mussa Azzan Zungu, Speaker of the National Assembly of the United Republic of Tanzania; H.E. Dr. Djangrang Epainete Sende, Speaker of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace; H.E. Edin Đerlek, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Serbia; H.E. Andra-Kristina Filip, Secretary General-elect of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU); H.E. Asaf Hajiyev, Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC); UAE Federal National Council member H.E. Mohammed Al Kashf, in addition to representatives of religious communities, members of parliament, and international figures participating in the session.

In his address, Aljarwan expressed his appreciation to the Republic of North Macedonia and its parliament for hosting this important international gathering, praising the warm hospitality and the efforts made to promote dialogue, tolerance, and peace. He also welcomed the participating parliamentary and international leaders, commending their continued efforts to advance the values of coexistence and peace around the world.

Aljarwan stressed that the session is being held at a particularly sensitive moment for the international community, one that requires serious collective action to reduce tensions and reinforce stability, especially in the Middle East. He also condemned the Iranian attacks targeting Gulf countries, neighboring states, civilians, and civilian infrastructure, emphasizing that attacks on civilian facilities constitute a violation of international law and undermine efforts aimed at peace and dialogue.

He further underlined the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and secure as a vital international maritime corridor and a key economic lifeline for the global economy.

Aljarwan also highlighted the Balkans as a global example of the possibility of achieving peace, reconciliation, and coexistence, calling for the establishment of a specialized Balkan platform dedicated to promoting the culture of tolerance and peace as part of broader international efforts to strengthen dialogue and understanding among the peoples of the region.

Regarding the Palestinian issue, Aljarwan affirmed that achieving a just and lasting peace in the Middle East requires the implementation of international legitimacy and the protection of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions, as a fundamental basis for achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.

Aljarwan concluded by emphasizing that parliaments bear a major responsibility not only in legislation, but also in defending humanitarian values, promoting dialogue, rejecting hatred and extremism, and building bridges of cooperation among peoples and nations in pursuit of a more peaceful and tolerant future for coming generations.