On the agenda: economic connectivity of the Mediterranean region, climate change and environmental migration, African regional co-operation, combating religious intolerance

COPENHAGEN, 23 September 2019 – More than 200 parliamentarians from some 50 countries are expected to gather in Marrakech, Morocco, for the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s 18th Autumn Meeting on 4-6 October. Consisting of a Parliamentary Conference, Mediterranean Forum and a meeting of the Standing Committee, the annual Autumn Meeting is an opportunity for OSCE PA members to debate pressing security-related topics and to follow up on outcomes from the summer’s Annual Session.

The Parliamentary Conference will focus on the theme “Promoting Security Across the Euro-Mediterranean Region: The Role of the OSCE and its Partners.” The Mediterranean Forum will address “North-South Co-operation Models and Economic Connectivity of the Mediterranean Region in a Globalized World.”

Expected speakers at the event include:

• George Tsereteli, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
• Saad Eddine El Othmani, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Morocco
• Hakim Benchamach, President of the House of Councilors of the Kingdom of Morocco
• Habib El Malki, President of the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Morocco

Also speaking will be representatives of the African Parliamentary Union, the Economic Community of West African States, the Pan-African Parliament, the International Organization for Migration, the OSCE Office of Economic and Environmental Activities, and the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims, as well as academic and religious leaders.

In thematic sessions, keynote speakers and assembled parliamentarians from across the OSCE area will explore topics such as “The OSCE and the African Regional Co-operation for Innovation and the Exchange of Good Practices” and “The Euro-Mediterranean Region and the Challenges Posed by Climate Change: Economic Development and Environmental Migration.” Session three will cover the topic “Combating Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief.”

It is the first time that Morocco is hosting a meeting of the OSCE PA and the first time for the PA to hold a statutory meeting in an OSCE Partner for Co-operation.

Journalists interested in covering the Autumn Meeting should register by the end of this week.

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