The second General Conference of the Asia-Africa Parliamentary Council concluded in the Libyan city of Benghazi with the adoption of the Benghazi Declaration, which called for stronger parliamentary cooperation between Asia and Africa and deeper joint action between the two continents.
The conference was held on 15 and 16 June 2026 under the theme “The Future Vision of African-Asian Relations”. It was chaired by Libya’s House of Representatives Speaker Aqeela Saleh, with the participation of parliamentary delegations from Asian and African countries, as well as representatives of regional and international parliamentary organisations.
The Benghazi Declaration said Asia and Africa share deep historical, cultural, and geographical ties. It stated that their shared future requires a unified parliamentary vision based on dialogue, understanding, mutual respect, and cooperation between peoples and states.
The declaration also said the two continents possess major human and natural resources that qualify them to play a stronger role in the international system. It called for parliamentary diplomacy to serve as an active tool for building bridges of cooperation and advancing common interests.
Participants confirmed their commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter, the Sustainable Development Goals, equal sovereignty of states, and non-interference in internal affairs. They also called for a real partnership between Asia and Africa based on mutual benefit, shared interests, and respect, away from unequal conditions or external dictates.
The final statement adopted by the conference approved the Benghazi session as the second General Conference of the council. It also thanked the Libyan House of Representatives for hosting the event and confirmed the unanimous selection of Aqeela Saleh as President of the Asia-Africa Parliamentary Council for a four-year term starting from the adoption of the final statement.
In the field of parliamentary cooperation, the conference called for greater dialogue and consultation between parliaments. It also urged wider exchange of legislative experience in governance, the rule of law, and human rights, along with stronger coordination with regional and international parliamentary organisations. The statement also called for expanding the council’s membership to include more parliaments from Asia and Africa.
On sustainable development and economic cooperation, the conference said development remains a main pillar of stability across both continents. It called for national legislation to support the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, while encouraging parliamentary agreements that promote investment and economic cooperation.
The statement also called for joint projects in agriculture, food security, health, and education, as well as a greater role for the private sector in building strategic partnerships between Asian and African countries.
On regional peace and security, the conference condemned all forms of foreign interference in the affairs of states. It confirmed respect for national sovereignty and the right of peoples to determine their own future. Participants also expressed concern over rising regional tensions and called for stronger parliamentary diplomacy to support stability.
The declaration also urged action to address the root causes of conflict, including poverty and the lack of development. It called for stronger legislative frameworks to combat terrorism and organised crime, as well as the launch of an Asian-African parliamentary initiative to support peaceful solutions to conflicts in line with international law and the United Nations Charter.
The Benghazi Declaration renewed the council’s full support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. It also condemned the occupation and called for continued support for Palestinian rights through parliamentary and diplomatic channels.
The conference concluded by praising the role of the council’s General Secretariat in organising the meetings and thanking the Libyan host authorities. It also confirmed that the implementation of the conference’s decisions and recommendations would be followed up through periodic reports submitted by the General Secretariat to the presiding bodies of member parliaments.
The final statement was adopted as an official document issued in Benghazi on 16 June 2026. The declaration said Benghazi would remain a notable station in the path of Asian-African parliamentary cooperation and a symbol of the will to pursue dialogue and joint work between the two continents.
