The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is deepening its engagement in the Middle East, supporting parliaments as drivers of reconciliation, reform and stability in the region. A November 2026 mission to the Syrian Arab Republic and Jordan highlighted opportunities to strengthen parliamentary institutions, advance inclusive political participation and support peaceful transitions.
The delegation was composed of IPU Secretary General Anda Filip, President of the IPU Committee on Middle East Questions Asuman Erdoğan of Türkiye, President of the IPU Bureau of Young Parliamentarians Nour Abu Ghosh of Jordan, and IPU Executive Committee member Hassan Gueddi of Djibouti.
Syrian Arab Republic: Supporting political transition
In Damascus, the delegation met the new Speaker of the People’s Assembly, Abdul Hamid Aqil al-Awak, along with parliamentary leaders and members of the 26 specialized parliamentary committees. It also held discussions with the National Commission for Transitional Justice and visited Saidnaya prison – a vivid testimony to the horrendous suffering and abuse perpetrated by the Assad regime.
The visit underscored the IPU’s support for the country’s political transition. The delegation welcomed the representation of regional, ethnic and religious communities in the People’s Assembly, and its members’ determination to pursue peaceful coexistence.
The IPU offered assistance with constitutional and legislative reform, parliamentary committees, gender equality and women’s political participation, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence.
Jordan: Advancing democratic reform
Building on Jordan’s longstanding partnership with the IPU and its role as a pillar of regional stability, the delegation met a range of stakeholders, including Jordanian Senators active in IPU bodies: Hayel Obeidat, a member of the IPU Committee on Health; Mahasin Al-Jaghoub, a member of the IPU Committee on Middle East Questions; and Huda Nassar Naffa, a member of the IPU Forum of Women Parliamentarians.
In Amman, a meeting with Ibrahim Tarawneh, newly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, and representatives of the Parliament’s leadership covered Jordan’s democratic transformation and regional challenges, including the need to combat violent extremism and terrorism while building peaceful, inclusive societies.
At the Independent Election Commission, the delegation met its Chairman Musa Al-Maaytah, who also heads the Arab Organization for Electoral Management. Discussions focused on electoral transparency, integrity and inclusion, including efforts to increase participation by women, young people and persons with disabilities. They also addressed safeguards for the use of technology and artificial intelligence in elections.
The delegation also met Amer Bani Amer, Founder and General Director of the RASED Al-Hayat Centre, an NGO which promotes democracy, transparency and political participation. The exchange explored the organization’s work monitoring elections and parliamentary performance, strengthening public accountability and training MPs.
At the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA), the agency which provides essential humanitarian aid and services for Palestinian refugees, the delegation met Deputy Commissioner-General Natalie Boucly and students who have benefited from the agency’s support. The meetings highlighted UNRWA’s education, health and humanitarian operations, as well as the financial and political pressures threatening their sustainability, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank. The meetings provided an opportunity to reinforce the critical need to respect and enforce international humanitarian law and to build political will for the advancement of the two-State solution for Palestine and Israel, as underscored by multiple IPU resolutions – most recently in 2025.
The delegation also visited the Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME), an intergovernmental research centre in Allan, Jordan, and the Middle East’s first synchrotron light source. Bringing together Cyprus, Egypt, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel, Jordan, Pakistan, Palestine and Türkiye, as well as multiple associate members and observers, SESAME enables scientists to pursue shared research across political divides. The visit highlighted a practical example of science for peace: cooperation on common challenges to sustain dialogue and build bridges between countries divided by conflict.
