Benghazi – Tuesday, 16 June 2026
The Second General Conference of the Asian-African Parliamentary Council concluded today, Tuesday, in the city of Benghazi, with the participation of heads and members of parliamentary delegations representing a number of countries from the continents of Asia and Africa, in addition to representatives of the International Federation of Asia and Africa Trade Unions and several regional and international parliamentary organizations.
The closing session witnessed the adoption of the conference’s final communiqué. In its second resolution, the communiqué unanimously approved the selection of the Speaker of the Libyan House of Representatives, Counselor Aguila Saleh Issa, as President of the Asian-African Parliamentary Council for a four-year term, with the participation of the First Vice-President of the Asian-African Parliamentary Council, Mr. Saud Rashid Al-Hajilan, Mr. Sidney Soukhona, Vice-President responsible for the African continent within the Asian-African Parliamentary Council, and Secretary-General Fayez Al-Shawabkeh. This step reflects the confidence placed in the role of the Libyan House of Representatives in supporting and strengthening joint parliamentary action between the countries of the two continents.
The final recommendations also emphasized the importance of the parliamentary role in strengthening Asian-African relations, the need to consolidate a culture of dialogue and regular parliamentary consultation, and the expansion of mechanisms for exchanging legislative expertise among member parliaments, particularly in the fields of governance, the rule of law, and human rights.
The participants issued the “Benghazi Declaration,” which stressed their commitment to developing Asian-African parliamentary cooperation and strengthening its institutional frameworks in a manner that serves the interests of the peoples and reinforces the position of the two continents on the international stage. The declaration also adopted the principle of genuine partnership based on mutual respect, shared interests, and mutual benefit, free from dictates and unequal conditions.
The declaration reaffirmed its full support for the Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle to attain their legitimate national rights, foremost among them the establishment of an independent State with Jerusalem as its capital, while condemning the crimes committed by the Zionist occupation against the Palestinian people.
The closing session also approved the document entitled “Future Vision for Asian-African Relations 2026–2030” under the theme “Towards Legislative Integration and Effective Parliamentary Diplomacy,” which aims to strengthen joint parliamentary coordination and support cooperation and development pathways between the countries of the two continents.
