Doha, Qatar: Officials and members of the Shura Council stated that the adoption of Qatar's emergency item at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) reflects the growing impact of Qatari parliamentary diplomacy and its role in supporting national, Arab, and Islamic positions.
They noted in statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the success reflects increasing international confidence in Qatar and its strong global reputation.
The emergency item, titled "The urgent need for coordinated parliamentary efforts to uphold ceasefire agreements and support the achievement of peace in the Middle East and other regions," received 1,316 votes in favour, three against, and 51 abstentions, surpassing the required two-thirds majority.
It marks the first time an Arab-proposed emergency item has secured the required votes since the mechanism was introduced in 1976.
The State of Qatar presented the initiative jointly with Australia, Turkiye, France, Brazil, Zambia, Poland, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, with broad backing from Arab, Latin American and Caribbean, and African groups within the union.
HE Dr. Hamda bint Hassan Al Sulaiti, Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council, Member of the Executive Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and Vice-Chair of the IPU Arab Group, told QNA that the item comes at a critical international moment marked by escalating conflicts and worsening humanitarian impacts, where civilian suffering has become a daily reality threatening global peace and stability.
She stressed that expanding conflicts require elevating parliamentary roles to ethical and humanitarian responsibility through coordination and strengthened parliamentary diplomacy to halt conflicts and support peace efforts.
Her Excellency added that the proposal reflects broad international consensus on the urgency of coordinated parliamentary action to sustain ceasefires, protect civilians, ensure humanitarian access, and advance peace negotiations.
She also highlighted the importance of safeguarding civilians, maintaining supply chains, securing navigation routes, ensuring energy flow, and enabling unhindered humanitarian aid delivery, alongside strengthening compliance with international law.
HE Dr. Sultan bin Hassan Al Dossari, Member of the Shura Council, Member of the Executive Committee of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union, said the success of the Qatar-led initiative represents a collective Arab achievement, enhancing Arab parliamentary influence within international institutions and strengthening their global presence.
Speaking to QNA, he said that the achievement reflects coordinated Arab parliamentary efforts and close cooperation with the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union, noting the importance of joint diplomatic and legislative coordination in advancing the initiative.
Member of the Shura Council and Member of the IPU Standing Committee on United Nations Affairs, HE Ahmed bin Ibrahim Al Malki, highlighted that the emergency item addresses pressing global issues affecting humanity.
He stated that the world is witnessing an unprecedented escalation in armed conflicts, including in the Middle East, posing a direct threat to international peace and security.
He told QNA that rising violence, increasing civilian casualties, and worsening humanitarian conditions require urgent coordinated efforts and swift parliamentary action, adding that the item reflects a practical approach to activating parliamentary tools at the international level.
The Shura Council Member HE Eng. Ahmed bin Hitmi Al Hitmi stressed that parliaments, as representatives of peoples, bear moral and political responsibility to push for dialogue over conflict and activate parliamentary diplomacy mechanisms.
He emphasized that the Qatari proposal urges national parliaments to move from condemnation to concrete action, assess compliance with international humanitarian law, and use constitutional tools for accountability.
The Shura Council Member and Member of the IPU Committee on Sustainable Development, HE Yousuf bin Ali Al Khater, said the initiative reflects Qatar's ability to build broad alliances and coordinate effectively across geopolitical groups, reinforcing the country's growing diplomatic influence and integration between parliamentary and official diplomacy.
Secretary-General of the Shura Council, HE Naif bin Mohammed Al Mahmoud, expressed appreciation for growing international confidence in Qatar, describing it as expanding diplomatic capital, and commended the professional efforts that secured overwhelming support for the proposal.
He added that a well-structured plan guided the initiative from its early stages, executed with high efficiency, with the General Secretariat playing a key role in providing administrative and technical support.
The Qatari emergency item was approved by a large majority for inclusion in the agenda of the 152nd IPU Assembly in Istanbul, during a dedicated voting session attended by the delegation led by Speaker of the Shura Council HE Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim.
The proposal focuses on mobilizing parliamentary efforts to support ceasefires, advance peaceful solutions, protect civilians, ensure maritime security, and maintain international shipping routes amid escalating global crises.
Parliamentary diplomacy remains a vital tool in supporting state policies, complementing official diplomacy, strengthening international partnerships, promoting dialogue, and advancing peace and mutual understanding.
It continues to deliver tangible outcomes that reflect the strong confidence Qatar holds within the international parliamentary community.
