UK Parliamentarians attend the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Annual Session
30 June 2023
From 30 June – 4 July, a cross-party delegation of MPs and Peers is participating in the Annual Session of the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) Parliamentary Assembly. The session takes place in Vancouver, Canada, and the United Kingdom Delegation is led by the Rt Hon Mark Pritchard MP. Mr Pritchard is also a Vice-President of the Assembly and Chair of its Ad Hoc Committee on Migration. He is joined by 9 other UK delegates from both Houses of Parliament.
The 30th Annual Session of the Assembly takes place under the theme of “Strengthening Regional Security by Fostering Democratic and Inclusive Societies: The Role of the OSCE PA,” the meeting will be addressed by representatives of the Canadian parliament and government, as well as high-level officials from the OSCE. Following several days of committee work, the Annual Session will culminate in the adoption of the Vancouver Declaration on 4 July, containing recommendations to national governments, parliaments and the international community. The largest event on the Assembly’s calendar, the Annual Session will focus largely on the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine and its related political, security and humanitarian impacts. Other important issues to be covered at the meeting include:
- Political prisoners in the OSCE area
- Migration
- Institutional challenges of the OSCE
- Economic security and COVID recovery
- Good governance and fighting corruption
- Protecting the Arctic
- Energy infrastructure
- Minority rights and vulnerable groups
- Impact of technology on human rights
- Humanitarian impacts of war
- Science diplomacy
- Plastic pollution
- Human trafficking
Programmes, reports and draft resolutions are available at the OSCE PA’s website.
Ahead of the session, the United Kingdom Delegation received a briefing from The Right Honourable The Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and United Nations at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and the Head of UK Delegation to the OSCE, Ambassador Neil Holland. In Vancouver, the Delegation will meet with the British Consul General.
At the session in Vancouver, the leader of the UK delegation, the Rt Hon Mark Pritchard MP, commented:
“This is a critical time for the OSCE PA, particularly as Russia continues its illegal and aggressive war against Ukraine. The Assembly must stand united on its founding Helsinki principles, and on the international rule of law, freedom and democracy.
“The Annual Session will present us with an opportunity to engage with our fellow delegates from across the region and I look forward to discussing the important and wide-ranging issues on the agenda within the Standing Committee, Plenary and Committees.
“My Ad Hoc Committee on Migration will continue its work monitoring migration within the region, and UK colleagues and I will ensure our voice is heard by participating fully in the activities of the Assembly by contributing to debates in the plenary and in committees and amending resolutions.
“The output of the Assembly is its Vancouver Declaration which will continue recommendations for the OSCE and national governments, parliaments and the international community.”
Image: ©Barbara Helgason - stock.adobe.com