16th APA Plenary Concludes in Manama Following Two Days of High-Level Deliberations
The 16th Plenary Session of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) concluded successfully in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, after two days of intensive high-level deliberations held on 25–26 January 2026, bringing together parliamentary leaders, legislators, and representatives of observer organizations from across Asia and beyond.
Convened at the invitation of the Bahrain Council of Representatives, the Plenary held special significance as it coincided with the twentieth anniversary of the establishment of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly in 2006, marking two decades of sustained parliamentary cooperation, dialogue, and collective engagement across the Asian continent.
Held under the theme “The Role of Asian Parliaments in Strengthening Intercultural and Inter-Civilizational Dialogue in Asia: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Pathways,” the session reaffirmed the APA’s role as a vital platform for fostering parliamentary dialogue, enhancing cooperation, and exploring joint responses to shared regional and global challenges.
Addressing the opening Plenary Session, the outgoing President of the APA, H.E. Dr. Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, underscored that the promotion of intercultural and inter-civilizational dialogue is no longer a matter of choice, but an imperative in light of escalating global conflicts and divisions. She emphasized that global peace and prosperity depend fundamentally on trust and mutual understanding among nations, noting that Asia with its rich civilizational heritage and cultural diversity, possesses significant and largely untapped potential to contribute meaningfully to global coexistence and stability.
Following the formal handover of the APA Presidency, the Speaker of the Council of Representatives of the Kingdom of Bahrain, H.E. Ahmed bin Salman Al-Musallam was invited to chair and address the Meeting.
In part of his address, the new APA President H.E. Al-Musallam affirmed that hosting the 16th Plenary Session in Manama reflected Bahrain’s advanced regional and international standing and its firm commitment to parliamentary diplomacy.
In his remarks, he highlighted Bahrain’s leadership in promoting dialogue, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence, noting that the United Nations’ adoption of the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence originated from a Bahraini initiative. He further stressed the Kingdom’s continued efforts to support just and comprehensive peace through dialogue and negotiation, reject extremism and hate speech, and strengthen cooperation among Asian parliaments.
Al-Musallam also expressed appreciation to member states for the confidence placed in Bahrain’s presidency of the APA, reaffirming the Kingdom’s dedication to advancing parliamentary collaboration in support of peace, stability, and sustainable development across Asia.
In another development, the Secretary General of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, Dr. Mohammad Reza Majidi, addressed the opening session, emphasizing the central importance of intercultural and inter-civilizational dialogue within the framework of parliamentary cooperation. Referring to the theme of the Plenary, he underscored the collective commitment of Asian parliamentarians to address both the opportunities and challenges of dialogue among cultures and civilizations, describing it as a shared determination to engage constructively with one of the most pressing issues of the contemporary world.
Addressing the deteriorating humanitarian situation of the Palestinian people in Gaza, the APA Secretary General stressed that the Assembly must move beyond merely expressions of solidarity toward a coherent and effective parliamentary response to the ongoing atrocities in Gaza Strip and and broader military escalation in the neighboring territories.
He emphasized that collective responsibility necessitates collective action, including the mobilization of all available parliamentary tools to pursue a swift, comprehensive, and just resolution to the humanitarian catastrophe.
The Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Mr. Martin Chungong, who attended the Plenary in Manama, was also invited to address the opening session.
In his remarks, he highlighted the vital importance of cultural relations among nations, noting that in an increasingly fragmented and polarized world, reinforcing the bonds of culture, shared heritage, and civilization was essential.
He emphasized that Asia’s extraordinary diversity of cultures, religions, and traditions represents a significant strength, and that Asian parliaments played a critical role in fostering intercultural dialogue, protecting cultural heritage, and upholding non-discrimination and freedom of religion or belief through legislative action.
A key highlight of the 16th Plenary Session was the formal handover of the Presidency of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly from the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Kingdom of Bahrain on 26 January 2026, marking the commencement of Bahrain’s term as President of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly.
The Plenary concluded with the adoption of the Manama Declaration, which reaffirms Asian parliaments’ commitment to dialogue, peaceful coexistence, and peace. The Declaration calls for strengthened parliamentary action to combat extremism, hate speech, and racism, and emphasizes the protection of civilians in conflict zones in full accordance with international humanitarian law.
The final document of the 16th Plenary also expresses firm support for a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause and condemns crimes committed against civilians in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of enhanced regional cooperation in addressing climate change, energy security, food security, disaster response, and public health, while supporting sustainable development, digital transformation, and economic integration across Asia.
Manama Findal Document also designated the period from 2027 to 2036 as the “Decade of Asian Inter-Cultural and Inter-Civilizational Dialogue, a valuable occasion mandating the APA Secretary General to compile the related inputs for the preparation of a comprehensive roadmap and action plan for final approval by member parliaments.
In addition, the Manama Declaration underscores the importance of youth and women’s participation, the preservation of Asia’s cultural and civilizational heritage, and the continued strengthening of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly as a leading platform for parliamentary diplomacy.
Finally, the Manama Declaration expresses its profound appreciation to the Parliamentary Group of the Kingdom of Bahrain for its warm hospitality, exemplary organization, and outstanding efforts in ensuring the success of the 16th Plenary Session. It further commends the Parliamentary Group’s active and constructive role in advancing Asian parliamentary action and strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation.
As a highly valuable and enduring document, Manama Declaration represents a pivotal milestone in advancing parliamentary cooperation and making a meaningful contribution to the promotion of peace, coexistence, and sustainable development across the Asian continent.
- 28 January 2026
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