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Dear Friends of PGA,

Why am I a PGA member?

I have realized over the years that lawmakers alone cannot bring the necessary amendments to existing laws and policies without the support, expertise and network of other lawmakers. PGA inspires and helps us aspire to be a beacon of hope, protector and defender of human rights, upholding universal values of democracy, freedom, justice, equality and good governance. And that is precisely where PGA comes in – as a sanctuary of brilliant minds and experts in a multitude of fields, from working with lawmakers to bring war criminals to justice, ending crimes against humanity, promoting gender inclusiveness, upholding and reviving democracy, ending the death penalty, advancing disarmament and the arms trade treaty, and protecting the oceans. PGA remains a crucial partner to lawmakers all over the world to share resources; to provide a platform for discourse and engagement with fellow MPs, civil society, and government agencies; and to assist and support parliamentarians in the PGA campaigns that they are championing.

The global COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose enormous challenges with profound impacts in all of our countries. Inequalities, vulnerabilities and abuses that were afflicting many in the world even before the pandemic have only been exacerbated and will only worsen if unchecked. In a climate of fear, marginalized sectors of society already living in precarious circumstances are confronting further alienation and victimization.

The spirit of collective action that characterizes PGA is more important today than ever. PGA’s international network stands in solidarity with champions of democracy and defenders of human rights and peace worldwide.

Democratic principles worldwide are under attack and while threats to democracy are not new, contemporary challenges – including the global health emergency – have put parliamentarians themselves on the frontlines. Opposition members and advocates for democratic norms, including human rights and gender justice, are increasingly targeted for repression, political reprisal, abusive prosecutions and personal victimization. At-risk classes, including women and girls, indigenous populations, religious minorities and LGBTI persons are often disproportionately affected. PGA supports and empowers parliamentarians to resist these attacks on democracy, shape national agendas, counter Executive incursions and work with civil society to preserve civic and political space.

In this challenging time, I am awed and inspired by the commitment of our members and their ownership of the organization’s strategic priorities. This essential feature is maintained and safeguarded by the democratic governance and working methods of PGA. Our global network of parliamentarians acting in their individual capacity is supported by PGA National Groups in parliaments. National Group chairs form the International Council, which then elects members of the Executive Committee. Lastly, all strategic decisions of the organization are made by the Executive Committee, which focuses on the results-oriented monitoring of, and action on, PGA’s Programs and Campaigns and is advised by the International Council.

In response to the lessons learned from an evaluation of our work in 2021, from the wisdom of our member-parliamentarians and partners and from the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, our new three-year strategic plan (2022-2024) focuses on empowering and mobilizing legislators as champions for human rights, democracy and a sustainable world.

There are several areas where the external environment in which PGA works to achieve Campaign priorities has evolved or retrogressed significantly since our previous 2019-2021 strategy was developed. This new plan recognizes the change in context and focuses our next steps to ensure that progress continues, starts or re-starts, depending on the situation in a given target country and other factors.

In addition to the central work of our nine Campaigns described in this report, PGA will emphasize several important themes as it marches into the future:

• Ensuring that our countries ratify and fully implement the international treaties that our global network has been supporting in its 43 years of history, which are so crucial to provide effective guarantees against human rights abuses and other violations of International Law, as well as make our planet a better and more secure place for us and future generations;
• Protecting democracy and contributing to an enabling environment for parliamentarians to fulfil their mandates and take action on PGA Campaign goals;
• Partnerships with the international community to contribute to Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development;
• Parliamentary partner to civil society; and
• Commitment to inclusion, accountability, transparency and achieving gender equality and parity as well as the empowerment of women and girls.

While nothing can replace the important peer-to-peer learning and sharing of best practices that take place when we meet in person, PGA, nevertheless, convened a very successful 42nd Annual Forum on a virtual platform: Day 1 addressed “The Antidote to Authoritarianism: Parliamentarians as champions of democratic principles and institutions,” and provided an opportunity for exchanges between legislators and experts on how to address attacks on democracy and ways and means to prevent and counter such attacks. Parliamentarians met on Day 2 of the Annual Forum for the second International Parliamentary Oceans Day to explore creative solutions towards protecting the rights and safety of those working in the fishing industry, while at the same time conserving our oceans to build resilience to climate change, maintain essential biodiversity and support the air we breathe. Our special thanks go to the National Assembly of Belize for co-hosting the event. We hope to meet with you in person at the 43rd PGA Annual Forum in November 2022.

All this would not have been possible without the leadership of Ms. Margareta Cederfelt, MP (Sweden), who ended her term as PGA President on 31 December 2021. Margareta is a tireless and effective champion of PGA Campaigns and values. We are grateful for her contributions and wish her well in her new role as President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.

Finally, my utmost gratitude – and a big “thank you” – to our invaluable network of parliamentarians and our steadfast partners and friends. With your help, we have achieved the significant results described in this 2021 Annual Report.

I look forward to working with you in 2022 to contribute to PGA’s vision of a rules-based international order for a more equitable, safe, sustainable and democratic world!

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My very best,
Hon. Kasthuri Patto,
MP (Malaysia)