Why it matters:
The gathering highlights Asia’s growing push for multilateralism and parliamentary cooperation at a time of shifting geopolitical alignments across the continent. Iran’s chairmanship also underscores Tehran’s active parliamentary diplomacy within regional bodies.
The big picture:
The APA, comprising more than 40 member parliaments, has been seeking to enhance political coordination, legislative collaboration, and regional stability. This year’s Political Affairs Committee is focusing on governance, legislative strengthening, and collective approaches to global challenges.
On the session:
Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf, Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, addressed the opening session and emphasized the need for Asian parliaments to promote multilateralism and counter unilateral pressures jointly.
Key points:
- The opening session included remarks from Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf.
- Delegations from 15 countries are participating, including Russia, China, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Lebanon, the UAE, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Palestine, Cambodia, Turkey, Cyprus, and Qatar.
State of play:
The committee’s discussions come as Asia faces complex security and economic challenges, including intensifying global competition and increased demands for parliamentary engagement in regional policymaking.
Go deeper:
As chair, Iran seeks to reinforce the APA’s role as a platform for rejecting unilateralism and encouraging Asia-wide dialogue. The resolutions under review, once finalized, will be presented at the next plenary session of the APA.
Hossein Vaez - seyed mohammad kazemi
