Session one of the Parliamentary Conference, 2 October 2024 (Photo Credit: Houses of the Oireachtas)DUBLIN, 3 October 2024 – The OSCE PA Autumn Meeting’s Parliamentary Conference, held under the theme “Fifty Years After Helsinki: The Role of Parliaments in Reinforcing the OSCE’s Comprehensive Model of Peace and Security,” closed today with speeches by OSCE PA President Pia Kauma (Finland), Irish Senate Chair Jerry Buttimer, Head of the Irish Delegation to the OSCE PA Michael Creed TD, and OSCE PA Secretary General Roberto Montella.
Buttimer noted that during the three working sessions of the Parliamentary Conference, parliamentarians reflected on the active role that they play as members of legislative bodies in building trust, raising awareness and ensuring accountability from governments.
“Let us remind ourselves that the role that we play in advancing and reinforcing the fundamental objectives of the OSCE is the key to its success,” Buttimer said. “Despite all the challenges, crises, and uncertainty the world is currently going through, the last two days have given us enough evidence to demonstrate the active role of parliamentary diplomacy in working towards building bridges and promoting co-operation and genuine dialogue.”
At yesterday’s first session of the Parliamentary Conference, parliamentarians discussed the OSCE’s conflict cycle, particularly the role of dialogue facilitation, conflict resolution, mediation support, conciliation and post-conflict rehabilitation. President Kauma opened the session by remarking that it was taking place within the context of a war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine and ongoing challenges in the South Caucasus, as well as a challenging situation in Moldova.
“As we reflect on these active and unsolved conflicts, it is important to also acknowledge the positive impact that sustained international engagement can have,” she said.
Session one included an address by Bertie Ahern, former Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland, who highlighted the experiences of Ireland in overcoming conflict and division, noting that important lessons have been learned about the importance of long-term commitment to reconciliation efforts. Shawn Decaluwe from the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre and Argyro Kartsonaki from the Centre for OSCE Research also addressed the session, noting that today the OSCE region faces a complex set of interrelated security challenges.
The Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine has challenged the OSCE’s core principles, it was stressed, but despite challenges, there are examples that can provide reassurance. The Western Balkans, for example, continue to experience peace and stability, thanks in part to the OSCE’s field operations and the international community’s collective commitment to building peace through dialogue, reconciliation, and institution-building. In this regard, appreciation was expressed for the PA’s contribution to the OSCE’s early warning mechanism.
Session two of the Parliamentary Conference, 3 October 2024Chaired by Pere Joan Pons (Spain), Vice-President of the OSCE PA and Special Representative on Climate Change, the second session of the Parliamentary Conference focused on addressing the climate crisis and the role of MPs in fulfilling global commitments ahead of COP29.
In his opening remarks, Vice-President Pons stressed the urgency of the issue. “We are transitioning from climate emergency to climate collapse,” Pons said. “So, our first mandate here should be to tackle this emergency. We need more political will, because we know the causes, we know the consequences, and we have the solutions.”
Keynote speakers at session two included Eamon Ryan TD, Minister for the Environment, Communications and Climate, and Transport; Sinead Walsh, Climate Director at Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs; and Jim Skea, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Professor of Sustainable Energy at Imperial College, London.
Panelists underlined the impact of climate change on global security and spoke about the role of parliamentarians in holding governments to account in implementing international commitments on climate change ahead of COP29. They noted, in particular, the need to strengthen the Nationally Determined Contributions to effectively cut greenhouse gas emissions and curb global warming, as well as to step up climate finance, invest in new technologies, and implement a fair energy transition.
In the discussion, Members highlighted the effects of climate change on their nations and the need to take stronger mitigation and adaptation measures. Paris Agreement commitments must be implemented on a national level, it was stressed, and young people must be involved in the process. Implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals was also emphasized as essential.
Session three of the Parliamentary Conference, Dublin, 3 October 2024The third session of the Parliamentary Conference focused on enhancing migration governance in the OSCE region to foster sustainable development. Chaired by OSCE PA Vice-President and Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Migration Daniela De Ridder, the session was addressed by Sarah Léonard, Jean Monnet Chair on Migration, Security and Intelligence in the European Union, and Co-Director of DCU Conflict Institute; and Amr Taha, Senior Regional Liaison and Policy Advisor at the International Organization for Migration in Vienna.
In her remarks, De Ridder urged parliamentarians to take an approach to migration that acknowledges the positive contributions of international mobility, rather than focusing on its negative aspects. Keynote speakers highlighted the many drivers of migration that continue to affect the OSCE area, including conflict, economic factors, climate change, and natural disasters. It was emphasized that unmanaged and irregular migration can strain public resources, create political tensions, and contribute to instability, but when managed effectively, migration can promote economic development and stability.
In the discussion, parliamentarians said that migration presents both challenges and opportunities. Effective migration governance is a critical component of ensuring sustainable development, it was emphasized. The impacts of migration on security and identity were also highlighted as important to address as part of a comprehensive approach.
The OSCE PA’s 22nd Autumn Meeting opened Wednesday with speeches by Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD, Speaker of the Lower House (Dáil Éireann); President Kauma, and Michael Creed TD, Head of the Irish Delegation to the OSCE PA. It concludes Friday with a meeting of the Mediterranean Forum, which will feature a debate on the situation in the Middle East.
More information on the Autumn Meeting is available here.
For photos of the meeting, please visit the OSCE PA’s Flickr page.
