Pia Kauma speaks at the inaugural session of the Parliamentary Conference, Dublin, 2 October 2024DUBLIN, 2 October – The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s 22nd Autumn Meeting opened today in Dublin with calls for reinforcing multilateralism and taking a bolder approach to international diplomacy and co-operative security. Some 200 parliamentarians from nearly 60 countries are taking part in the Autumn Meeting.
Speaking at the opening session were Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD, Speaker of the Lower House (Dáil Éireann); Pia Kauma, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly; and Michael Creed TD, Head of the Irish Delegation to the OSCE PA. Speakers emphasized the power of dialogue and compromise to overcome longstanding and deep-seated divisions, noting that 2023 marked the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement that brought an end to the 30-year conflict known as the Troubles, and that next year marks the 50th anniversary of the OSCE’s founding document, the Helsinki Final Act.
“The spirit of unity that launched the OSCE in 1975 in Helsinki is as relevant today, in 2024, as it was back then, if not more” said Seán Ó Fearghaíl. “Indeed, when considering our current geopolitical realities, as parliamentarians with democratic legitimacy and visibility, we have an evident role to play in reinforcing the OSCE’s comprehensive model of peace and security in today’s world.”
Ó Fearghaíl recalled the sacrifices and leadership shown by Irish politicians to achieve a successful outcome with the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, underlining that Ireland’s experiences are a reminder that peace and security can never be taken for granted.
In her remarks, President Kauma noted that Ireland’s journey towards peace is a testament to the power of reconciliation, demonstrating that even the most entrenched conflicts can be overcome through genuine dialogue and compromise.
“The Good Friday Agreement serves as a model of what can be achieved when we approach our differences with empathy, determination, and respect,” the President said. “It not only succeeded in ending decades of violence but also laid the foundation for lasting stability by embedding the principles of power-sharing, consent, and respect into the fabric of governance.” She added that this spirit of resolution and co-operation is central to the mission of the OSCE.
“As a founding state, Ireland has been an active OSCE participating State since the Helsinki Summit, almost 50 years ago,” said Michael Creed. “The organization’s vision coincided back then, and continues to coincide, with what has been a long-standing focus of Irish foreign policy: the promotion of peace and security through multilateral co-operation and respect for human rights and the rule of law.”
He further noted that parliaments, as the direct representatives of citizens, have an active role to play in raising awareness about the mandate of the OSCE. “As we navigate complex challenges and crises that seriously threaten global peace, security, and understanding, this is now more important than ever,” Creed said.
Seán Ó Fearghaíl, Pia Kauma and Michael Creed in Dublin, 2 October 2024 (Photo: Houses of the Oireachtas)The Autumn Meeting’s Parliamentary Conference, being held under the theme “Fifty Years After Helsinki: The Role of Parliaments in Reinforcing the OSCE’s Comprehensive Model of Peace and Security,” takes place today and tomorrow. In the three working sessions of the Parliamentary Conference, OSCE parliamentarians will hear addresses by ministers of various Irish agencies and representatives of international organizations.
The first session of the Parliamentary Conference is focusing on the OSCE’s approach to the conflict cycle, in particular dialogue facilitation, conflict resolution, mediation support, conciliation and post-conflict rehabilitation. Session two will explore the role of parliamentarians in addressing the climate crisis, including the fulfillment of global commitments ahead of COP29. In the third session, parliamentarians will discuss enhancing migration governance in the OSCE region to foster sustainable development.
On Friday, parliamentarians will debate the situation in the Middle East during the Mediterranean Forum, to be chaired by OSCE PA Special Representative on Mediterranean Affairs Pascal Allizard (France).
On the sidelines of the Autumn Meeting, the OSCE PA’s Parliamentary Support Team for Ukraine (PSTU), the Ad Hoc Committee on Countering Terrorism and Ad Hoc Committee on Migration are meeting for talks on the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine, as well as the ongoing work of the PA on counter-terrorism and migration matters.
This morning, the OSCE PA’s Standing Committee met to hear reports of OSCE PA President Pia Kauma, Treasurer Johan Büser, and Secretary General Roberto Montella, and to review recent OSCE PA activities.
The Autumn Meeting is livestreaming at www.oscepa.org.
For photos of the meeting, please visit the OSCE PA’s Flickr page.
