Istanbul: A Senate delegation from Jordan, led by Senator Hussein Hawatmeh, participated in the Global Parliamentary Conference on Counter-Terrorism and the Prevention of Violent Extremism, held in Istanbul, Trkiye, on October 7-8. The conference saw the collaboration of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), drawing parliamentary delegations from over 20 countries. The primary focus of the event was to bolster international and regional cooperation by developing unified legislative frameworks to tackle terrorism and to enhance the role of parliaments in addressing violent extremism.
According to Jordan News Agency, in his opening remarks, Senator Hawatmeh emphasized how technological progress and global connectivity have facilitated the rapid spread of terrorism, through both violent acts and the dissemination of extremist, racist, and discriminatory ideologies. He called for a comprehensive global strategy that integrates both hard and soft power to effectively counter terrorism and extremism, along with addressing the ongoing conflicts that threaten global peace and stability.
Senator Hawatmeh highlighted Jordan's commitment, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, to dialogue and cooperation as fundamental tools for promoting international security and stability. He pointed out that Jordan has suffered terrorist attacks resulting in loss of lives and property, underscoring that no nation can combat terrorism in isolation. Global solidarity and support for affected and less-capable nations are crucial.
On the second day, Senator Nabas described the conference as "a golden opportunity" to explore the global dimensions of terrorism and its related challenges. He underscored the necessity of strengthening the role of legislative bodies in fighting terrorism and extremist ideologies, seeing this as a crucial step toward fostering a culture of peace and enhancing security and stability.