By Xinhua
Amman : A two-day consultative meeting of the Association of Senates and Equivalent Councils in Africa and the Arab World opened in Jordan on Sunday.
The meeting, which gathers 14 parliamentary delegations, is expected to discuss five working papers on challenges facing the third world and contribution of education and democracy in achieving political and socio-economic stability.
Opening the meeting, Abdul Aziz Abdul Ghani, president of the association and head of Yemeni Shura Council, noted that the association is one of the important initiatives which is aimed at exploring prospects of establishing legislative partnership and preserving interests among Arab and African countries.
Jordan’s Senate President Zeid Rifai also said at the meeting that Arab and African regions are witnessing unstable political, economic and security conditions as well as conflicts and wars ina number of countries.
Legislative councils have the responsibility to open channels of contact and enhance dialogue in the region, he said, urging the legislative authorities to exercise their role and coordinate with the governments to achieve peace, security and stability.
Rifai also highlighted the role of senates and councils in combating poverty and unemployment through approving legislation that supports socio-economic development and monitoring government economic policies and through active partnership with the public and private sectors.