The award was presented by the President of the Paraguayan Chamber of Deputies, Dr. Raúl Latorre (Asociación Nacional Republicana-Capital), in a ceremony prior to the legislative session.
On 15 July, Asunción experienced a moment of high diplomatic impact with the visit of H.E. Ahmed bin Mohamed Al Jarwan, President of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace (CGTP). As part of a whirlwind tour of Latin America, the international leader received the ‘Tomás Benjamín Aceval Bogarín’ award, the highest award given by the Chamber of Deputies of Paraguay. The award was presented by the President of the Chamber, Dr. Raúl Latorre (National Republican Association-Capital), in a ceremony prior to the legislative session.
During the ceremony, President Al Jarwan shared the CGTP’s approach, which is committed to parliamentary diplomacy, educating future leaders and building a world based on mutual respect. He argued that: “Hatred cannot build nations or sustain peace. World peace is not a luxury, it is a necessity for true progress”.
The tribute highlighted Al Jarwan’s work for more just and inclusive societies. Throughout his career he has led initiatives focused on intercultural dialogue, sustainability and respect for human rights. His work has been recognised internationally with awards such as the Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Peace, the Extraordinary Grand Cross of Colombia and distinctions in countries such as Russia, Argentina, Albania and Kosovo.
Al Jarwan has an academic background of excellence in aerospace engineering, political science and diplomacy, acquired at prestigious universities such as Georgetown, Zayed and Pierre and Marie Curie. He currently heads several international organisations such as the Forum for Peace and Development in Paris, the Council of Arab Experts and the FICRT Foundation in Madrid.
During his speech, the CGTP President reaffirmed the body’s commitment since its founding in Malta in 2017, with the backing of the United Nations and more than a hundred parliaments and governments from four continents. These include PARLASUR, PARLATINO, PARLACEN, and legislatures from Africa, Asia and the Arab world.
The Council actively promotes academic programmes in tolerance and peace with more than 75 universities. In July 2024, the University of San Antonio de Murcia celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of its Master’s programme specialising in this area.
Accompanied by Mr. Gustavo Acosta Martinez, CGTP Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, and Mr. Musabeh Saeed Alkitb, Director General of the Foundation for Islamic Culture and Religious Tolerance, Al Jarwan consolidated strategic links in the region. At the award ceremony, the Paraguayan MP Carlos Núñez Salinas, Alternate President of PARLATINO, stressed that this visit to Paraguay strengthens the role of the country and the continent in building bridges to peace.
After Asunción, the delegation will head to Peru to sign bilateral agreements, while the opening of a new CGTP headquarters in Montevideo, Uruguay, is confirmed.
In closing his speech, Al Jarwan underlined the fundamental role of legislators in turning the ideals of dialogue into public policies that promote peaceful coexistence in all corners of the globe.
