Bryndís Haraldsdóttir at the COP27 in EgyptSHARM EL-SHEIKH, 18 November 2022 – OSCE PA Special Representative on Arctic Issues Bryndís Haraldsdóttir (Iceland) has taken part over the past week in the UN’s annual Conference of the Parties climate summit (COP27) in Egypt. At the COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Special Representative Haraldsdóttir engaged in panel discussions with legislators, youth, and researchers. In the meetings with other parliamentarians from the Nordic countries, Special Representative Haraldsdóttir emphasized that the Arctic issues are a matter of concern for the world and should be addressed resolutely, coherently, and co-operatively in line with the Paris Agreement.

Chairing a parliamentary discussion on climate policies, Special Representative Haraldsdóttir underlined that decision-makers should upscale climate ambitions while strengthening efforts to build resilience to climate change to ensure a livable planet for future generations. As the world is at a critical juncture in dealing with climate change consequences, Haraldsdóttir noted that parliamentarians should be pushing for more emission reductions and encouraging each other to have more ambitious climate action goals to avert the worst impacts of climate change. In her speech, mentioning the OSCE PA Parliamentary Plea for Resolute Climate Action issued in November 2021 and last summer’s Birmingham Declaration, she stressed the role of political will and meaningful dialogue among parliamentarians on environmental issues.

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