Vancouver: Delegation of the House of Representatives Participates in the 30th Annual Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE-PA)
A delegation of the House of Representatives took part, from June 30 to July 4, 2023, in the activities of the 30th Annual Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE-PA), held in Vancouver, Canada. The theme of this Session focused on "Strengthening Regional Security by Fostering Democratic and Inclusive Societies: The Role of the OSCE-PA.”
The delegation from the House of Representatives includes members of the National Representation at the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE: Rep. Marouane Chbaatou (Group of the National Rally of Independents) and Rep. Khalid Hatimi, (Group of Authenticity and Modernity).
This Session witnessed the participation of 323 parliamentarians representing the Parliaments of the Member States of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (57 countries from Europe, North America, and Asia). Besides, the Session featured the participation of a guest of honor from the Holy See, and representatives of the States "Partners for Co-operation" of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. The Session also included officials from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Canada.
The agenda of this Session includes the presentation and discussion of reports from the three General Committees, as well as the approval of the relevant draft recommendation. These Committees are the General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights, and Humanitarian Questions; the General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology, and Environment; and the General Committee on Political Affairs and Security.
The Annual Session will conclude with adopting the Vancouver Declaration on the 4th of July, which includes recommendations for national governments, parliaments, and the international community. This Session will also involve discussions on various topics, mainly dealing with the challenges facing the organization, such as the institutional ones, economic security and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, governance and anti-corruption efforts, protection of the Arctic region, energy infrastructure, the impact of technology on human rights, humanitarian consequences of war, the diplomacy of science, and the issue of human trafficking.