On the occasion of PGA Board Members attending their governance meetings in New York City, the Permanent Mission of Liechtenstein to the United Nations (UN) hosted PGA’s UN Advisory Committee meeting, comprised of Permanent Representatives and Ambassadors to the UN and senior UN officials, on 31 May 2024.
Diplomatic representatives had the opportunity to discuss PGA’s current thematic priorities and the challenges legislators face in the implementation of a human rights-centered agenda that aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
H.E. Ambassador Christian Wenaweser, Permanent Representative of Liechtenstein to the United Nations and Chairperson of the PGA UN Advisory Committee, welcomed the parliamentarians and expressed his appreciation for PGA’s work over the years, including on the universality and implementation of the amended Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Hon. Naveed Qamar, MP (Pakistan), President of PGA, seized the opportunity to thank Liechtenstein for its unwavering support to the organization over the years and his leadership at the UN. He highlighted the importance of maintaining this Committee as a way to exchange information and improve coordination on multilateral affairs.
As PGA is ushering in a new phase in its programmatic focus, Ms. Mónica Adame, Secretary-General of the organization, presented the strategic priorities of 2025-2027, within the framework of the Programs on:
- International Law and Human Rights
- Democracy, Gender and Inclusion
- International Peace and Security and
- Human Rights and the Environment.
Strengthening democratic institutions and principles underpins PGA’s work and is a priority to our members worldwide. As part of the global efforts on this field, PGA is member of a group of like-minded organizations, led by Democracy Without Borders (DWB), working toward the establishment of a UN Special Rapporteur on Democracy. Mr. Andreas Bummel, Executive Director of DWB, participated in the dialogue and had enriching exchanges with the parliamentarians and the diplomatic community, particularly on improving the coordination of actions between the UN and legislators to address challenges to multilateralism.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Ali Ehsassi, MP (Canada), Chair of PGA’s International Council, thanked Ambassador Wenaweser and the Permanent Mission of Liechtenstein for hosting the conversation, and raised the importance to remain vigilant about attacks against women and vulnerable communities in political spaces. Safe spaces for women in politics is fundamental to democracy, a topic which was discussed in a subsequent meeting at the Permanent Mission of Canada to the UN.
