Saud AlHujailan Chairs the Asian African Parliamentary Council Meeting in Benghazi, Discussing Priorities and Strengthening International Partnerships

Mr. Saud AlHujailan, Acting President of the Asian-African Parliamentary Council and President of the International Federation of Asian and African Trade Unions (IFAATU), chaired a meeting of the Asian-African Parliamentary Council on 22 October 2026, at the headquarters of the Libyan House of Representatives in Benghazi, Libya.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General, Directors of the Council’s Departments, the Parliamentary Affairs Adviser, and a number of officials, namely:

* Mr. Fayez Al-Shawabkeh – Secretary-General.
* Mr. Abdullah Al-Masri Al-Fudail – Deputy Secretary-General.
* Mr. Idris Al-Farjani – Director of the Coordination Department.
* Mr. Khaled Al-Tabib – Director of the Protocol, Ceremonial Affairs and International Relations Department.
* Mr. Ahmed Hashash – Parliamentary Affairs Adviser to the Council.
 

Main Topics Discussed

The meeting addressed a number of priority issues related to the development of the Council’s work and the enhancement of its institutional performance. Discussions included a review of the Council’s work plan, the identification of its priorities for the coming period, and the examination of proposed programmes and activities.

The participants also discussed mechanisms to strengthen the role of the various departments and improve coordination and integration among them, with the aim of enhancing performance efficiency and achieving the Council’s objectives.

The meeting further reviewed preparations for the upcoming meeting of the Executive Council, including the administrative, organisational, technical and protocol arrangements required to ensure its proper preparation.

Meeting Outcomes and Recommendations

Within the framework of developing the Council’s working mechanisms and strengthening its institutional effectiveness, the meeting highlighted the following priorities and practical recommendations:

First: Follow-up on the Implementation of the Council’s Work Plan

Reviewing the Council’s work plan, identifying priorities, programmes and activities for the coming period, establishing a clear implementation timetable, assigning responsibilities to the relevant departments, and regularly monitoring progress.

Second: Activation of the Agreement with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean

Giving particular attention to following up on the agreement concluded between the Asian-African Parliamentary Council and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean, and working towards activating its provisions and implementing its commitments.

This includes developing practical mechanisms for cooperation and joint coordination, identifying areas of partnership and common interest, and implementing the programmes and activities envisaged under the agreement. These efforts aim to translate the agreement’s objectives into tangible initiatives and strengthen institutional and parliamentary cooperation between the two organisations.

Third: Strengthening International Parliamentary Relations and Cooperation

Expanding relations and communication with regional and international parliaments and parliamentary organisations, activating channels of joint cooperation, and exploring new partnership opportunities to strengthen the Council’s presence and participation in international parliamentary forums.

Fourth: Preparations for the Upcoming Executive Council Meeting

Completing the necessary preparations for the upcoming Executive Council meeting, preparing relevant documents and proposed agenda items, and coordinating administrative, technical, organisational and protocol arrangements among the departments concerned.

Fifth: Developing Administrative and Institutional Performance

Strengthening coordination and communication between the General Secretariat and the various departments, developing working mechanisms, and clearly distributing responsibilities to improve efficiency and institutional performance.

Sixth: Follow-up on Decisions and Recommendations

Establishing a periodic follow-up mechanism to monitor the implementation of the Council’s decisions and recommendations, preparing progress reports outlining implementation stages and achievement rates, identifying challenges and obstacles, and submitting the findings to the Council’s Presidency for appropriate action.

Emphasis on Implementation and Follow-up

At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Saud AlHujailan emphasised the importance of intensifying efforts during the coming period and moving from planning to effective implementation.

He highlighted the need to give priority to key matters, particularly the activation of parliamentary agreements and partnerships, following up on the implementation of the agreement with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean, and completing preparations for the upcoming Executive Council meeting.

He also stressed the importance of teamwork, strengthening coordination and integration between the General Secretariat and the various departments, and unifying efforts to ensure the implementation of the Council’s plans and programmes in accordance with its objectives.

This meeting forms part of the ongoing efforts to develop the institutional work of the Asian-African Parliamentary Council, strengthen parliamentary relations between the countries of Asia and Africa, expand cooperation and partnerships with regional and international parliamentary organisations and federations, and enhance the Council’s presence and role in international parliamentary forums.