Members of Algeria’s parliamentary delegation participated on Sunday, 4 October 2026, in the coordination meetings of the African and Arab geopolitical groups of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), held at the Arusha International Conference Centre in Tanzania, ahead of the opening of the 153rd IPU Assembly.

The Algerian delegation took part within a joint parliamentary delegation representing both chambers of Parliament, reflecting Algeria’s participation in the preparatory consultations preceding the major international parliamentary gathering.

The meetings provided an opportunity for representatives of the African and Arab geopolitical groups to exchange views on a number of issues related to the agenda and work of the forthcoming IPU Assembly, with discussions focusing on strengthening coordination among the parliamentary representatives of the two regions and developing common approaches toward issues of shared concern.

African and Arab Groups Discuss the Assembly’s Main Agenda

During the coordination meetings, members of the African and Arab groups discussed several issues linked to the items scheduled for consideration during the 153rd session of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The discussions sought to formulate common perspectives reflecting the priorities and positions of representatives of African and Arab peoples, while also strengthening consultation and coordination ahead of the assembly’s deliberations.

Among the issues addressed was the agreement on candidates representing the two geopolitical groups for vacant positions within the IPU committees. The participants also exchanged views on requests to include emergency items on the agenda of the upcoming assembly.

The meetings further addressed the need to establish a unified African position and a unified Arab position concerning the candidates competing for the presidency of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

Such coordination formed an important part of the preparatory consultations, particularly as the participating parliamentary groups sought to consolidate their positions before the formal proceedings of the international parliamentary organization begin.

Three Candidates Present Their Vision for the IPU Presidency

In this context, members of the African and Arab geopolitical groups heard presentations from the three candidates for the presidency of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The candidates are Sahiba Gafarova, President of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan; Milton Dick, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Australia; and Rojo Edwards Silva, a member of the Senate of Chile.

The three candidates presented brief overviews of their respective electoral programmes and outlined their visions for the future of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, particularly in light of the current international circumstances.

The presentations gave members of the African and Arab groups an opportunity to hear directly from the presidential candidates and to become acquainted with their proposed approaches to the future of the organization and its parliamentary work.

The issue of the IPU presidency was therefore among the central topics addressed during the coordination meetings, alongside the broader discussions concerning nominations and the positions that the African and Arab geopolitical groups may adopt during the IPU Assembly.

African Group Examines Cooperation with Arab Parliamentary Group

The African geopolitical group also discussed a memorandum of understanding that is expected to be concluded with the Arab geopolitical group.

The proposed memorandum aims to strengthen cooperation, coordination and consultation between the two groups on issues of concern to the peoples of Africa and the Arab world.

The discussions surrounding the memorandum reflect the groups’ interest in further developing structured parliamentary coordination and consultation on matters of common interest, particularly within the framework of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The African group also reviewed the final details related to the nomination of an African parliamentarian for the Cremer-Passy Prize for 2026.

The annual award is granted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union to a parliamentarian or a group of parliamentarians who have distinguished themselves through their commitment to defending the principles of the organization and who have made an effective contribution toward building a united and sustainable world based on justice, security, development and peace.

The discussions on the nomination represented another important aspect of the African group’s preparatory work ahead of the opening of the international parliamentary gathering in Arusha.

Algeria Participates Through a Joint Delegation

Algeria’s participation in the meetings was carried out through a joint parliamentary delegation bringing together representatives of the Council of the Nation and the People’s National Assembly.

The delegation is headed by Mohamed Larbi Slimani, Vice-President of the Council of the Nation, who serves as head of the delegation.

The delegation also includes Moundir Boudine, Vice-President of the People’s National Assembly.

Among the participating members is Abderrahmane Ghenchouba, President of the parliamentary group of the National Democratic Rally at the Council of the Nation and member of the Committee on the Promotion of Respect for International Humanitarian Law.

The delegation further includes Othmane Rachid, President of the parliamentary group of the National Liberation Front at the People’s National Assembly.

Farida Abri, Vice-President of the Committee on Legal, Administrative Affairs, Freedoms and Human Rights at the People’s National Assembly, is also part of the Algerian delegation.

The delegation includes as well Salim Djelal, Secretary-General of the People’s National Assembly, and Ahsen Djouahra, Director-General of Administrative and Financial Services and Affairs of Members of the Council of the Nation.

Parliamentary Diplomacy and Regional Coordination

The participation of the Algerian delegation in the African and Arab coordination meetings comes within the framework of parliamentary diplomacy and the preparatory process preceding the opening of the 153rd session of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The consultations in Arusha brought together representatives of the two geopolitical groups to address issues directly connected with the organization of the upcoming assembly, including committee vacancies, emergency agenda requests, presidential nominations and mechanisms for strengthening cooperation between African and Arab parliamentarians.

The discussions also provided space for the two groups to exchange views on matters affecting their respective regions and to explore opportunities for closer coordination within the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

For the African group, the proposed memorandum of understanding with the Arab group represents an additional framework for enhancing consultation and cooperation on issues that concern the peoples of both regions.

The consideration of the 2026 Cremer-Passy Prize nomination likewise highlighted the role of parliamentarians in promoting the principles associated with the Inter-Parliamentary Union and contributing to efforts aimed at advancing justice, security, development, peace and sustainability.

Preparations Underway for the 153rd IPU Assembly

The coordination meetings held in Arusha therefore served as an important preparatory stage ahead of the official opening of the 153rd IPU Assembly.

The discussions enabled African and Arab parliamentary representatives to exchange positions, coordinate their approaches and examine the different issues expected to be addressed during the assembly.

Particular attention was devoted to achieving greater coordination concerning nominations and vacant committee positions, emergency proposals for the agenda and the presidential election within the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The participation of Algeria through a joint delegation from both chambers of Parliament also reflects the country’s engagement in the preparatory activities of the international parliamentary organization and its involvement in the consultations conducted within the African and Arab geopolitical groups.

As the proceedings of the 153rd session approach, the meetings in Arusha have provided an additional platform for parliamentary representatives from Africa and the Arab world to coordinate their positions and discuss mechanisms for strengthening cooperation and consultation on issues affecting their peoples.