12-13 March 2024, Geneva, Switzerland – The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) attended and contributed to the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Regional Forum on Sustainable Development on “Strengthening the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the UNECE Region in Times of Multiple Crises: Effective Delivery of Sustainable, Resilient and Innovative Solutions”. Amb. Gerhard Putman-Cramer, PAM Permanent Observer at the UN in Geneva, represented the Assembly.
The event provided an opportunity for multiple stakeholders from governments, international organizations, civil society, and academia, to exchange views on relevant policies and effective cooperation, towards advancing key transitions and cooperation towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the UNECE region.
Amb. Putman-Cramer intervened during the Closing Session of the meeting, highlighting the geoeconomic repercussions of recent conflicts and tensions, such as the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the Israeli-Hamas conflict and the crisis resulting from attacks of Iran-aligned Houthis in the Red Sea, which have further hindered sustainable development efforts in UNECE region,
In this regard, Amb. Putman-Cramer emphasized PAM’s role as a full-fledged member of the UN Commission for Sustainable Development in the Mediterranean (MCSD), as well as PAM’s engagement in cooperative endeavors with UNECE and FAO, particularly in the realms of sustainable forest management.
Amb. Putman-Cramer concluded by recalling PAM’s ongoing efforts towards the implementation of the “Parliamentary Energy Community for the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf Regions”, to foster energy transition, economic growth, and prosperity across the PAM regions. The initiative will see its operationalization phase at the forthcoming PAM Marrakesh Forum on 11-12 July 2024.
By actively participating in the Forum, PAM seeks to contribute to the development and implementation of impactful policies to achieve the SDGs and address the pressing challenges faced by UNECE. Looking ahead, the Assembly is prepared to enact strong measures, and will contribute to Summit of the Future in September 2024. //