A historic and unprecedented achievement in parliamentary and trade union cooperation across Asia and Africa has highlighted the pioneering role of Mr. Saud Rashid Al-Hajilan, President of the International Federation of Asian and African Trade Unions (IFAATU), in establishing the Asian-African Parliamentary Council through a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening parliamentary integration and unifying legislative efforts between the two continents.

This initiative was launched with the direct support of the International Federation of Asian and African Trade Unions (IFAATU). Mr. Al-Hajilan led extensive diplomatic and organizational efforts that successfully attracted numerous parliaments and national councils, laying the foundations for unprecedented parliamentary cooperation among member states and opening new horizons for dialogue and coordination on regional and international issues.

These efforts culminated in the First Founding Conference of the Asian-African Parliamentary Council, held at the Lebanese Parliament in Beirut, Lebanon, from 8–9 September 2025, with broad international participation and high-level representation from parliaments and legislative councils. The conference generated significant political and media momentum and established itself as a distinguished platform for parliamentary dialogue.

As a result, the International Federation of Asian and African Trade Unions (IFAATU) was granted permanent membership within the Council, on an equal footing with member parliaments, under the Council’s Statute. This marked an unprecedented milestone in the history of parliamentary and trade union cooperation, recognizing the important role of national trade union federations in regional and international decision-making.

In addition, a permanent seat was allocated to the Federation within the Council for the office of First Vice-President of the Asian-African Parliamentary Council, a position awarded to Mr. Saud Rashid Al-Hajilan in recognition of his outstanding contribution to establishing and developing the Council, reinforcing the Federation’s institutional role in promoting parliamentary dialogue and cooperation between Asia and Africa.

This achievement represents a qualitative milestone in parliamentary and trade union relations and establishes a pioneering model of institutional partnership between parliaments and trade unions, opening a new chapter of international cooperation based on integration, exchange of expertise, stability, and sustainable development.