Phnom Penh – Kingdom of Cambodia

A delegation from the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace (GCTP), headed by H.E. Ahmed bin Mohamed Aljarwan, President of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace, and including H.E. Dr. Djangrang Sende, Speaker of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace (IPTP), with the participation of Prof. Zoran Ilievski, took part in the Second Conference of Speakers of Parliaments, held in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, with the participation of a distinguished group of parliamentary speakers and delegations from around the world.

During the conference, H.E. Aljarwan delivered the GCTP President’s address, expressing his appreciation to the Kingdom of Cambodia and its leadership for hosting this international parliamentary gathering. He extended his thanks to His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni; H.E. Hun Sen, President of the Senate; Prime Minister Hun Manet; and H.E. Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly, for their efforts in supporting peace and promoting international cooperation and dialogue.

H.E. Aljarwan stressed that the conflicts, geopolitical tensions, and rapidly evolving economic, technological, and climate challenges facing the world today place greater responsibility on parliaments, which serve as platforms for dialogue, transforming differences into opportunities for understanding and cooperation, and translating international commitments into practical policies, legislation, and initiatives.

He also praised Cambodia’s experience in achieving peace and national reconciliation, noting that its hosting of the 11th Plenary Session of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace in 2024, during which the Universal Peace Charter: For People and the Planet was adopted, marked an important milestone in international efforts to foster a culture of peace, protect human dignity, and advance sustainable development.

H.E. Dr. Djangrang Sende, Speaker of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace, also delivered the IPTP’s address before the conference. At the outset, he expressed his appreciation to the Kingdom of Cambodia and its leadership for their warm hospitality and commended the initiative to bring together parliamentary leaders around the theme, “Solidarity for Peace and Shared Prosperity: Strengthening International Law and Resolving Conflicts through Peaceful Means.”

Dr. Sende emphasized that the conference was being held at a time of growing conflicts, geopolitical tensions, and economic and social divisions worldwide. He stressed that parliaments cannot limit themselves to the role of observers, but rather have a responsibility to keep channels of dialogue open, particularly when communication between states becomes increasingly difficult.

He highlighted the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in building bridges of trust, bringing viewpoints closer together, and strengthening dialogue. He also stressed the need to uphold international law and apply it equally to all without discrimination, in order to preserve confidence in the international system and reinforce multilateral action.

Dr. Sende further emphasized the importance of making conflict prevention and peaceful settlement a permanent political priority through mediation, negotiation, preventive diplomacy, and dialogue among peoples. He underscored that sustainable peace is closely linked to shared prosperity, social justice, and access to education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and development for all.

On the sidelines of the conference, His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, King of the Kingdom of Cambodia, received H.E. Ahmed bin Mohamed Aljarwan and H.E. Dr. Djangrang Sende at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, as part of a group of heads of delegations participating in the conference. During the meeting, the importance of strengthening international cooperation and consolidating the values of tolerance and peace was emphasized.

H.E. Hun Sen, President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia, also received H.E. Ahmed bin Mohamed Aljarwan during his participation in the conference. The two sides discussed ways to strengthen cooperation and joint action in support of tolerance and peace initiatives, as well as enhancing the role of parliamentary diplomacy in bringing peoples closer together and supporting international stability.