20 February 2025, Rome, Italy – On the first day of the 19th PAM Plenary Session, delegates reviewed the progress and key achievements of the PAM 3rd Standing Committee on Dialogue among Civilizations and Human Rights, alongside discussions on the committee’s strategic priorities and activities for 2026.
The session was chaired by Hon. Pedro Roque (Portugal), PAM Vice-President and President of the 3rd Standing Committee, who launched the proceedings, starting by noting the multitude of challenges being faced in the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf regions, in particular humanitarian crises. In this regard, Hon. Roque made explicit reference of the need to protect the rights and safety of civilians, along with risks posed by unregulated use of Artificial Intelligence. Noting the priorities of the Committee, such as the fight against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants, he concluded by stressing that collective work is needed for a more fair future that is built on justice, cooperation and human dignity.
The session featured a message by H.E. Giuseppe Valditara, Minister of Education and Merit of Italy, who stressed the critical role of education in fostering social resilience, economic growth, and sustainable development. Referring to data revealed by UNESCO, Minister Valditara reaffirmed that effective education policies can make a difference in achieving key objectives such as promoting resilience and social policies that support human and social capital.
Following his remarks, Ms. Lidia Brito, Assistant Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), highlighted the excellent relations between PAM and UNESCO, given their standing agreement and preparations to sign a Memorandum of Understanding. In her intervention, Ms. Brito stressed the role of science as a catalyst to find solutions, noting that parliamentary diplomacy carries the component of “science diplomacy”, helping countries build relations, especially among countries that do not maintain diplomatic relations.
The session proceeded with the presentation of two key reports and draft resolutions, followed by a parliamentary debate and voting.
Sen. Marie-Arlette Carlotti (France), PAM Rapporteur on Migration, presented the Report and Draft Resolution on “Trafficking in persons in times of compound crises in the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf Regions”.
She emphasized that the Euro-Mediterranean region is the cradle of civilization, but it is also being challenged by conflict, poverty, inequalities, leading to major migratory flows. In this context, Sen. Carlotti stressed that women and children are especially affected among the hundreds of thousands who attempt to illegally migrate in our regions and that implementing coordinated and multidisciplinary measures are key to tackle these structural challenges. Sen. Carlotti concluded by referring to the PAM Campaign against Trafficking in Persons and Migrants, calling delegates to collectively support the initiative.
The interventions were further enriched by parliamentary debates, in particular calls stressing the need to cooperate to tackle irregular migration and trafficking of human beings.
Concluding the debates, H.E. Dr. Awadh Al Ketbi, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority, United Arab Emirates, intervened by stressing that recent global health disasters have shined light on the collective need to ensure stronger health systems. Reaffirming the commitment to build healthier and safer societies, Dr. Al Ketbi reiterated that inter-parliamentary dialogue is crutial to promote greater cooperation in this regard.
Subsequently, Hon. Gabriel Amard (France), PAM Rapporteur on the Right to Water and Sanitation, presented the Report and Draft Resolution on “The right to safe drinking water and sanitation as a human right, essential for the full enjoyment of life and the exercise of all human rights, in the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf Regions”.
Hon. Amard highlighted that climate change is a major contributor to drought, floods and environmental degradation of the Mediterranean, which experiences the fastest warming in the world. He explained the transformation of water from a fundamental right into a highly inequally distributed commodity, stressing that the regional water crisis is not only ecological, but also political. Hon. Amard noted that water must serve as a source of peace, and not a geopolitical instrument, and called for discussions on the recognition of the Mediterranean as a legal entity.
As part of the parliamentary debates, PAM delegates reaffirmed that water is an inalienable fundamental right, as well as the threats posed against its sustainability and availability in the Mediterranean. PAM delegates underscored the need for regional cooperation to ensure adequate and just access to potable water, including for agricultural purposes, through effective policies aiming to improve infrastructure and sustainability. They launched a reflection on the option of affording a legal personality of the Mediterranean for the purpose of preventing, reducing and combating pollution in the Mediterranean Sea.
In addition to the presentation of draft reports and resolutions, the session featured significant updates from PAM rapporteurs on key areas of concern. Hon. Abdelouahab Yagoubi (Algeria), PAM Rapporteur on Artificial Intelligence (AI), delivered a comprehensive briefing on PAM’s recent international engagements for countering the misuse of AI and emerging technologies.
Hon. Yagoubi particularly referred to threats against democratic processes emanating from this phenomenon, including through hybrid campaigns, such as the spread of misinformation and disinformation. In this regard, he informed delegates on the PAM report on the malicious use of AI and emerging technologies by terrorist and criminal organizations, prepared in cooperation with the United Nations Security Council.
Following this intervention, Hon. Dherar Al Falasi (UAE), PAM Honorary Member and Senior Advisor on Trafficking in Human Beings, provided an update on the progress of the PAM Campaign Against Trafficking in Persons and Migrant Smuggling. He highlighted the main objectives of the Campaign, notably; raising awareness among PAM Member States, as well as other partners and stakeholders, and fostering a collective sense of responsibility while highlighting the gravity of this challenge. For this, the Campaign calls for the promotion of dialogue and exchange of best practices, as well as the need to strengthen existing legislative frameworks.
Following substantial discussions and contributions from parliamentary delegations and expert rapporteurs, both resolutions were adopted by consensus. //