The 14th Plenary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) took place in Athens on 20-21 February 2020, generously hosted by the Hellenic Parliament.
More than 240 parliamentarians and representatives from 53 national, international parliaments and international organizations attended the Session. Members from the Greek Government and the Hellenic Parliament, parliamentary delegates and, among others, UN agencies and programs’ representatives, the Arab IPU, the Arab Parliament, the Arab League, the Pan-African Parliament, the Mediterranean Citizens’ Assembly Foundation (MCAF), Academia, diplomatic corps, as well as representatives of financial institutions and civil society actively contributed to the debates.
PAM delegations were welcomed by H.E. Hon. Constatine An. Tassoulas, President of the Hellenic Parliament, who opened the Session together with Sen. Dr. Alia Bouran, PAM President, Hon. Christos Kellas, Head of the Greek delegation, and H.E. Elsa Papadimitriou, former PAM Vice-President and former Vice-President of the Hellenic Parliament. The hosts opened the works highlighting the unique mission of the Assembly in the current Mediterranean political context, namely developments in the MENA region, the evolving threat of terrorism, challenges to sustainable economy and fight to climate change, the status of human rights and mass migration governance.
H.E. Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General, addressed a special message to the Assembly calling upon PAM’s key role in keeping Governments accountable and enacting legislation to promote peace and security, sustainable development and a fair globalization for all.
On 20 February, national delegates debated political instability in the MENA region and analysed the current challenges in critical hotspots, including ongoing conflicts in Libya and Syria, the increasing instability in the Sahel, the stall of negotiations between Israel and Palestine, as well as the water crisis along the Nile basin and the financial emergency in Lebanon.
Delegates reasserted their full commitment to promote political solutions to these conflicts and for achieving the Two State solution in the Middle East using all the tools of parliamentary diplomacy.
On the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, Dr. Trias, Special Representative of the Director General of the World Health Organization, provided PAM delegates with an updated and tailored briefing about the present level of hazard and the contribution required by parliamentarians in ensuring a proper support to national health authorities.
With an eye to socio-economic challenges and sustainable development, the Plenary Session also discussed the strategic role of SMEs and Start-ups in the Euro-Mediterranean region, the need for regional economic integration and the access by enterprises to alternative capital markets through new and flexible legislations. The “Start-up Market Project”, launched by PAM in December 2019, was highlighted as a concrete answer to this necessity, by bringing together start-uppers and investors through a better structured ‘capital calls’ initiative. Delegates praised the strengthened PAM partnership with the OECD, World Bank, IMF, UNCTAD and other IFIs, which will allow a new comprehensive parliamentary approach to the specificities of the Mediterranean region’s economy.
Parliamentarians reaffirmed their oversight mandate in ensuring that governments effectively deal with climate change. Converting to a new sustainable eco-friendly economy, a more efficient waste management system, and adding funds and investments for the environmental sustainability, were some of the measures agreed upon by the delegates, and which will be brought for further discussions to their capitals.
On 21 February, the general debate was dedicated to Migration and Human Rights. In restating their commitment in promoting and protecting human rights, delegates pledged to support the creation of a better tailored mechanism to provide all kind of migrants with basic needs and services, while respecting national laws in countries of origin, transit and destination. Parliamentarians also called upon the international community and the EU to address the root causes of migration and to enhance economic development to avoid further instability, which forces people to flee from their homeland in search for better economic opportunities or protection.
The annual PAM Prize was awarded to 13 individuals and institutions, from different parts of the Euro-Mediterranean region, who operated in favour of peace, stability, humanity and prosperity for the peoples of the Mediterranean, in the spirit of PAM’s mandate.
The Assembly also unanimously extended the mandate of Amb. Sergio Piazzi, as the Secretary General of PAM, for a new term of 4 years, until the 19th plenary session of 2025.
The session ended with the handover ceremony of the PAM Presidency from Sen. Alia Bouran (Jordan) to Hon. Karim Darwish (Egypt).
The 15th Plenary Session of the Assembly will be graciously hosted by the Italian Parliament and the Sardinia Region, in Cagliari, in February 2021.