KHGC signs cooperation agreement with IPU

Geneva, The King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence (KHGC) signed a cooperation agreement with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva today. The agreement aims to build capacities, enhance legislative frameworks, and develop educational and training programmes to promote tolerance, harmony, and peaceful coexistence, fostering inclusive societies rooted in security, peace, respect for human rights, and sustainable development. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence, expressed pride in the partnership with the IPU, which aligns with the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. He highlighted the Kingdom's commitment to promoting the values of tolerance, human solidarity, interfaith and intercultural dialogue, as well as fostering a global culture of peace and international unders tanding. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah noted that the agreement is in line with the principles of the Bahrain Declaration and the call made by His Majesty the King at the 146th IPU General Assembly in Manama for an international agreement to criminalise hate speech based on religion, sect, or race, and to prevent the misuse of media and digital platforms to incite intolerance, extremism, and terrorism. Furthermore, he emphasised the centre's commitment to strengthening cooperation with the IPU in building the capacities of parliamentarians and relevant institutions to promote social cohesion, human rights, and the rule of law, while combating hate speech and leveraging parliamentary diplomacy as a tool for peacebuilding, reducing tensions, and resolving regional and international conflicts. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah expressed confidence in the success of this collaboration with one of the world's most esteemed international organisations. He emphasised that joint educational and training initiatives will support dialogue and coexistence between religions, cultures, and civilisations, and contribute to efforts against extremism, intolerance, hatred, violence, and terrorism. In his remarks, Martin Chungong, Secretary-General of the IPU, commended Bahrain's efforts in promoting interfaith and intercultural dialogue and expressed his hope for enhanced collaboration with the King Hamad Global Centre. He highlighted the role of this partnership in shaping policies and legislation aimed at building inclusive, cohesive, and peaceful societies, in line with international agreements and the Manama Declaration, signed at the conclusion of the IPU General Assembly on "Promoting Peaceful Coexistence and Inclusive Societies: Fighting Intolerance." He also underscored the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in advancing dialogue, countering hatred, and maintaining peace. Source: Bahrain News Agency