44th Annual Forum of Parliamentarians for Global Action
PGA's 44th Annual Forum was conducted virtually in 2023 and was hosted by the Parliament of Seychelles.
Report on the 44th PGA Annual Forum
15-16 November, 2023
The 44th Annual Forum of Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA), hosted virtually by the National Assembly of Seychelles, on 15 and 16 November 2023, convened 76 parliamentarians and experts over two days of discussions. Day One was the “Third Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the Oceans (CAP-Oceans) with a focus on the High Seas Treaty: A Historic Milestone in Ocean Protection for All People of Present & Future Generations;” and Day Two focused on “Securing Democracy in a Digital Age: Launch of the Parliamentary Toolbox for Democracy Defense and Protecting Women Parliamentarians in the face of Cyberattacks.” At the conclusion of the meeting, the assembled parliamentarians adopted the Victoria Plan of Action to document commitments and guide follow up actions.
I. Third Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the Oceans (CAP-Oceans): Campaign for Universality and Implementation of the High Seas Treaty
The 3rd Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the Oceans (CAP-Oceans) brought together 56 parliamentarians from 34 countries, experts, civil society representatives, and other key stakeholders to discuss the importance of the historic UN High Seas Treaty, also known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty, to exchange experiences and identify concrete opportunities for parliamentarians to take action towards the timely entry into force of the High Seas Treaty. The 3rd CAP-Oceans marked the launch of PGA’s Campaign for Universality and Implementation of the UN High Seas Treaty as a Member of the High Seas Alliance in partnership with Pew Charitable Trusts.
The Factsheet for Parliamentarians on the United Nations High Seas Treaty: A Historic Agreement to Protect the Ocean was shared with participants in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish, providing parliamentarians with an overview of the Treaty and opportunities to take action towards the universality and implementation of the agreement.
Publication
Factsheet for Parliamentarians: United Nations High Seas Treaty: An Historic Agreement to Protect the Ocean
The high seas, also referred to as international waters, begin 200 nautical miles from shorelines and belong to all people as the common heritage of humankind.
Description
The high seas, also referred to as international waters, begin 200 nautical miles from shorelines and belong to all people as the common heritage of humankind. These areas are not included in exclusive economic zones, territorial sea, internal waters, or archipelagic waters of a State.
Covering 43 percent of Earth’s surface with life-sustaining rich biodiversity, the high seas belonging to all people are areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) and therefore have lacked dedicated management or protection. Less than 1 percent of the high seas are fully or highly protected.
The urgent need to protect the high seas is, in fact, the need to protect the human right of all people to a safe, healthy and sustainable environment, amongst other associated human rights.
PDF(s)
Additional Details
- Publication Type: Factsheet
- Publication Date: 2023
- Author(s): Parliamentarians for Global Action
Hon. Roger Mancienne, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Seychelles, stated in the opening of the session:
Anything that protects our planet deserves solid words and actions. Its preservation, therefore, must be our primary objective. The High Seas Treaty is necessary to safeguard the oceans. Hon. Roger Mancienne, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Seychelles
Hon. Roger Mancienne, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Seychelles
Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bernard Georges, MP (Seychelles), and PGA Board Member further declared:
I want Seychelles to be one of the first countries to ratify the High Seas Treaty and it is my job to bring Treaty ratification to the floor for a vote. Hon. Bernard Georges, MP (Seychelles)
Hon. Bernard Georges, MP (Seychelles)
PGA President Hon. Naveed Qamar, MP (Pakistan) noted:
As Parliamentarians, we must sign on to the High Seas Treaty as we must be committed to human rights and sustainable development.
PGA President Hon. Naveed Qamar, MP (Pakistan)
Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, Under-Secretary General for Legal Affairs and UN Legal Counsel, outlined the Treaty and its importance for the protection of the oceans and associated human rights. Ms. Rebecca Hubbard, Director of the High Seas Alliance, delivered a presentation further detailing the Treaty and underscoring opportunities for parliamentarians to ensure its entry into force by the June 2025 UN Ocean Conference.
Participants engaged in two interactive discussion sessions, moderated by Dep. António Niquice (Mozambique), PGA Board Member and Oceans Campaign Convenor, and by Ms. Petra Bayr, MP (Austria), PGA Treasurer. During these interactive sessions, parliamentarians developed a deeper understanding of the Treaty and engaged directly with experts on technical questions: Ms. Hubbard; Mr. Daniel Kachelriess; Cross-cutting Coordinator at the High Seas Alliance; and Mr. Julian Jackson, Senior Manager, Protecting Ocean Life on the High Seas at Pew Charitable Trusts.
Hon. Valerie Woods, MP (Belize), Speaker of the House of Representatives, PGA Board Member and Climate Action Campaign Convenor, stated: “Belize was one of the first countries to join the Treaty because of the broader scheme of marine resource management and its relevance for small island and developing states.”
At the beginning of the meeting, parliamentarians were asked about their familiarity with the High Seas Treaty. Demonstrating the sustained momentum for the Treaty by PGA Members, 64 percent of respondents stated they are familiar or somewhat familiar with the Treaty. When asked if they had already engaged with their Governments or fellow parliamentarians on the topic, 32 percent confirmed they have.
At the end of the meeting, 100 percent of participating parliamentarians confirmed the 3rd CAP-Oceans had deepened their understanding of the Treaty, and indicated their commitment to take action, including by convening an informative session with peers, issuing a public statement, posing a parliamentary question, and/or other initiatives.
II. Securing Democracy in a Digital Age: Launch of the Parliamentary Toolbox for Democracy Defense and Protecting Women Parliamentarians in the face of Cyberattacks
The Democratic Renewal and Human Rights Campaign, with the support of Global Affairs Canada, officially launched its third pillar: the Parliamentary Toolbox for Democracy Defense, a compendium of practical resources to support legislators in tackling different facets of democratic backsliding and recognizing the early signs of democratic erosion. It includes guidelines, best practices, and case studies from countries around the world.
Publication
The Parliamentary Toolbox for Democracy Defense
Addressing Multidimensional Crises: A Characteristic of Our Time
Description
In an era characterized by growing challenges to democratic values and institutions, the Parliamentary Toolbox for Democracy Defense is a vital resource to empower parliamentarians and democracy advocates worldwide. This comprehensive Toolbox offers strategies and practical tools to detect early warning signs of democratic decline and proactively defend democracy as a fundamental principle.
The information included in this Toolbox offers a structured and comprehensive approach to safeguarding democracy. The recommendations provide a roadmap for proactive intervention and encourage parliamentarians to play an active role in upholding the fundamental principles of democracy, ensuring that they remain robust and resilient in the face of adversity.
PDF(s)
Additional Details
- Publication Type: Toolkit
- Author(s): Parliamentarians for Global Action
During the discussions, panelists encouraged their colleagues to engage with national, regional, and international partners and institutions to share experiences and coordinate efforts to defend democracy on a global scale. MPs stressed that, by embracing the Toolbox as a vigilance tool, parliamentarians can strengthen their commitment to the principles underpinning a democratic society, as it is their duty to stand united and resolute in the face of any threat to democratic values. Panelists described the vital role that PGA’s Parliamentary Rapid Response Team (PARRT) plays in this regard. It is a mechanism that can receive referrals when there are serious threats against the physical or psychological integrity of legislators or human rights defenders or when democracy is at risk in a given country.
Trust between the citizenry and its representatives is fundamental to a functioning democracy, and legislators have a role to play in fostering that trust. As stressed by the panelists, speaking out when parliamentarians witness backsliding is of utmost importance, not only in their country but worldwide. Using robust networks and fora like the one provided by PGA, therefore, offers an opportunity to discuss and propose cooperative solutions to global issues. Humanity is facing multiple pandemics, including those of violence and hate, to which parliamentarians committed to human rights, especially women, minorities, and vulnerable and marginalized communities, are regularly subjected. At the end of the exchanges, the PGA Secretariat shared a survey with legislators, asking them specific questions regarding the relevance of the network and events like the Annual Forum to their work. Parliamentarians committed to using their platforms to share successful examples of how to preserve democratic principles and values; use the Toolbox to improve their understanding of democratic backsliding; raise awareness when there are attacks on parliamentarians, especially against women; and issue public statements when necessary.
During Panel II on ‘Preserving Women Parliamentarians’ Leadership in the Face of Cyber Harassment and Attacks’, parliamentarians discussed the escalating issue of cyber-harassment, particularly targeting women and children, including women parliamentarians. The panel underscored the vital role of the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, advocating for its universalization and implementation as a foundational framework to combat online harassment. Emphasizing the need for legislative and policy responses to this growing threat, Dip. Margarita Stolbizer, (Argentina) observed:
When women are attacked on social media, they tend to leave social media & be less visible online. We need more visibility of women. In Argentina, we have adopted legislation originating from Mexico to promote and protect the rights of women in digital space” Dip. Margarita Stolbizer, (Argentina)
Dip. Margarita Stolbizer, (Argentina)
This statement highlighted a critical pattern: the tendency of women to retreat from online platforms when faced with harassment, thereby diminishing their public presence and voice. Hon. Dr. Angela Brown Burke, MP (Jamaica) added:
It is important for all of our countries to ratify the Budapest Convention(...) with ratification we can have a harmonization of all ways, improve international cooperation as well as more effective investigation and prosecution of cybercrimes. Hon. Dr. Angela Brown Burke, MP (Jamaica)
Hon. Dr. Angela Brown Burke, MP (Jamaica)
In response to this challenge, the panelists called for concerted efforts to bolster the visibility and security of women in the digital sphere. Hon. Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Belize, reflected on the relevance of the Budapest Convention, stating:
Parliamentarians of Belize had an informative session in Belize last year about the Budapest Convention, which was very relevant. We have a Cybercrime Act, but that act is not being enforced correctly. Hon. Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Belize
Hon. Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Belize
The panel concluded with a resounding call to action for countries not yet party to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime and its Additional Protocols, urging them to ratify and implement this important treaty. This step was deemed imperative for ensuring a safer, more equitable online environment, where women in leadership and public roles can engage without fear of cyber harassment, thereby contributing more fully to the democratic process and societal development.
Moreover, parliamentarians discussed the global call to establish a United Nations Special Rapporteur on Democracy (UNRoD). This visionary initiative is spearheaded by Democracy Without Borders (DWB) and a coalition of like-minded civil society organizations, which includes PGA. The establishment of a UNRoD would help strengthen democracy and democratization around the world - particularly from an institutional point of view. The mandate would include sharing good practices that countries could tailor and emulate; analyzing constitutional and institutional frameworks; measuring with data the effectiveness of Parliaments; electoral processes that should be free, fair, transparent, and competitive; as well as the level of political participation of the citizenry.
This novel initiative, as reflected upon by the Executive Director of DWB, Mr. Andreas Bummel, and PGA PARRT member in exile from Afghanistan, Hon. Mariam Solaimankhil, emphasizes the UN's role in this respect. Although democracy remains underrepresented in its activities and projects, the UN would benefit from the participation of experts, civil society representatives, parliamentarians from democratic countries or countries in transition, and representatives from international parliamentary networks, such as PGA, to support the mandate of the UNRoD. Several parliamentarians called to reinforce human rights and democracy at the institutional level, stressing that solid support is critical to building this new mandate, and urging members to join this global call (several MPs endorsed it).
During the debates, an important question was raised: how can the Special Rapporteur on Democracy assist countries with a massive democracy deficit? While recognizing that there isn’t a single model for democracy, this new role is not only about oversight and monitoring. It is about highlighting good practices and bringing to the table countries and individuals regardless of their background, raising awareness when there are clear attacks on democracy, responding to the calls for help from nations grappling with the erosion of democratic values, and providing a platform and protection for those fighting on the front lines for democracy and human rights.
The establishment of the UNRoD could not be more crucial at this moment. The overview of democracy is concerning, with countries with net declines in democratic performance outnumbering those with net advances, according to reports. However, as PGA Board Member Hon. Bernard Georges, MP (Seychelles) noted: “difficult things lead to great solutions.”
This is an opportunity for more coordination, collaboration, and exchange between democratic governments, democratically elected representatives, and other pro-democracy actors to counter this trend. Together, we have the power to bring about a meaningful change to ensure that the values of democracy and human rights are a reality for all.
