Amman, Oct. 30 (Petra) -- A Senate delegation participated in the meetings of the Standing Committee on Culture and Social Affairs of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, held in Moscow from October 29 to 30.
The meetings, attended by Assistant Senate President Zuheir Abu Fares and Senator Adham Shishani, discussed several issues on promoting and protecting cultural diversity in Asia, advancing integration in information and communications technology, and strengthening interfaith harmony and dialogue. Other topics included health, tourism, and human development, according to a Senate statement.
In his speech, Abu Fares said strengthening Asian parliamentary cooperation is no longer a political luxury but a strategic necessity to address shared global challenges, calling for developing practical visions that reflect aspirations of Asian peoples toward peace, justice, and prosperity.
Abu Fares described the meetings as an opportunity to reaffirm commitment to expanding horizons of Asian parliamentary cooperation in cultural, health, and tourism fields.
He said the discussions serve as a platform for launching a shared Asian parliamentary vision that fosters collaboration in cultural, social, and humanitarian domains, enhances intercivilizational dialogue, and supports human integration across the continent.
He pointed to Jordan’s model of coexistence, built on national unity and harmony among religions, cultures, and social components, as well as its "unique" cultural and tourist landmarks. He affirmed that Jordan is among the region’s "leading" destinations for medical and therapeutic tourism.
Locally, he noted Jordan is working within a comprehensive national vision to develop sustainable tourism that respects environmental and social dimensions and empowers local communities to benefit directly from development returns, stressing that culture and tourism in Jordan are not merely economic activities but a human message.
Praising steadfastness of the Palestinian people in facing brutal Israeli aggression, he called for ending Israeli arrogance in the region and for the equal application of international laws and resolutions, including on the occupying power, to prevent impunity.
Abu Fares stated peace and stability in the region will only be achieved when the Palestinian people establish their independent state on their national soil onthe June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the two-state solution supported and recognized by 157 countries at the international conference on the two-state solution held on September 22 at the United Nations in New York.
He reaffirmed the importance of the Hashemite Custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem in preserving their Arab identity, noting that Israel, as the occupying power, continues its attempts to alter the city’s historical and legal status.
//Petra// AO
