Bahrain’s parliamentary delegation, led by Jamal Mohammed Fakhro, First Deputy Chairman of the Shura Council, and including MP Munir Ibrahim Suroor, met with the Algerian parliamentary delegation on the sidelines of the 19th Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2024 in Riyadh.
The discussions focused on strengthening parliamentary ties and sharing expertise on Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance. The Algerian delegation proposed the creation of an Arab framework agreement, akin to UN conventions, to regulate AI usage and establish clear standards. In response, Fakhro suggested that the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIPU) oversee this initiative, leveraging its expertise and role in regional cooperation. He also referenced a proposal to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) for monthly AI training workshops for legislators.
The meeting also reviewed Algeria’s experience with digital transformation, highlighting challenges such as cybercrimes on social media and the internet, which are difficult to trace and prosecute. Both delegations stressed the importance of international collaboration in developing effective legal frameworks to address these issues.
Bahrain’s delegation emphasized the importance of raising AI awareness among legislators, advocating for focused training programs for lawmakers and technical staff to navigate the challenges of digital transformation effectively.
