22 – 29 January 2025, Paris (France) and Brussels (Belgium) – A high-level mission of the Secretariat General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) took place between 22 and 29 January, to further its cooperation and engagement with key institutions and organizations.
On 22 January, PAM officials met in Paris with the French Parliamentary Delegation, representing both the National Assembly and Senate, to discuss strategies for strengthening the already excellent collaboration between PAM and the French Parliament. The meeting explored new joint initiatives and common projects, including the organization of a high-level event, to be hosted by the French Parliament, on 22 March 2025, for the Mediterranean Day, dedicated to the right to water, as well as the third session of the PAM Women Parliamentary Forum (WPF), scheduled at the end of 2025.
On 23 January, PAM officials met with the UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Science, Ms. Lidia Brito, at the organization’s headquarters. PAM and UNESCO agreed on formalize their collaboration through the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which is the result of the organizations’ longstanding partnership. This partnership includes PAM’s efforts to promote the establishment of a UNESCO structured cooperation with parliamentarians, to support the UNESCO Innovation Project, the UNESCO Chair for Sustainable Development and Territorial Management at the University of Turin, Italy, as well as the Italian UNESCO Chair, with which PAM will also sign an MoU in 2025.
On the same day, PAM officials held discussions with several senior representatives of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), such as Mr. Carlos Conde, Head of Middle East and Africa Division of the Global Relations and Co-operation Directorate, and Ms. Silvia Terrón, Head of the External Engagement Unit of the Directorate for Communications.
The meeting focused on reinforcing cooperation between PAM and the OECD, particularly in renewing their MoU that is fundamental in providing a cooperative framework for enhancing the relationship.
Additionally, other areas of potential future cooperation between PAM and the OECD were explored. These include the evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI), with both organizations having established observatories focused on AI.
The meeting also highlighted the need to continue participating in flagship events, including the upcoming meeting of the OECD Global Parliamentary Network (GPN), and the PAM Marrakesh Forum.
On 29 January, in Brussels, PAM officials also met with representatives of the EU Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS), and with Hon. Ruggero Razza, member of the European Parliament and Chair of the EU Parliament Delegation for relations with the Maghreb countries and the Arab Maghreb Union.
Such high-level discussions further consolidate PAM’s role as a key parliamentary platform for dialogue and cooperation across the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf regions. PAM remains committed to advancing these strategic partnerships to provide its contribution to global governance. //