Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean

On January 14, 2025, Mr. Ricardo Pires, UNICEF Communication Manager, highlighted the devastating impact of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Syria, emphasizing that half of the 422,000 UXO-related incidents over the past nine years have tragically involved children. He warned that five million children still live in contaminated areas, where every step can lead to tragedy. More than 250,000 children have been displaced since November, increasing the risk of encountering these deadly remnants. Pires highlighted the long-term consequences of UXO, including life-changing injuries, disabilities, and barriers to education and healthcare. In December 2024 alone, 116 children were killed or injured, an alarming average of nearly four a day. UNICEF is calling for immediate investment in demining efforts and support for survivors, stressing that clearing these explosives is essential to saving lives and enabling the reconstruction of Syria. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) joins the international community in strongly condemning the systematic abuses and violations of children's rights, and continues to prioritize this issue within its broader Campaign against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants, in close collaboration with UNODC, PACE, and other international partners. Learn more : https://lnkd.in/gunxCv5C #Syria #UNICEF #Children #HumainRights @UNICEF

As the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine enters its fourth year, the UN reaffirms its unwavering commitment to providing humanitarian aid to millions of Ukrainian civilians affected by the invasion. On January 15, 2025, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi visited the Kharkiv region to assess the situation on the ground. More than 12.7 million people in Ukraine urgently need aid, and over 6.8 million Ukrainian refugees worldwide also require crucial support. The UN commitment remains unwavering, even as the harsh winter further aggravates the situation in front-line regions. USG Grandi stressed that the UN will continue to support efforts to keep civilians warm, safe and healthy in the face of the continuing crisis. In Kyiv, later this week, the UN will launch its humanitarian and refugee plans for 2025, detailing strategies to ensure continued assistance to the Russian aggression-affected people. PAM strongly supports the UN efforts along with the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine and its democratically elected government and parliament. The Assembly unequivocally condemns Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and reiterates its call for an immediate cessation of hostilities. PAM expresses profound solidarity with the Ukrainian people during these challenging times. Learn more : https://lnkd.in/dxqHgpTn #Ukraine #Russia #War @United nations 

As reported by The New York Times, the Mediterranean region is experiencing a concerning escalation in extreme weather phenomena, most notably catastrophic flooding, which have been exacerbated by climate change. The region’s unique geography—characterized by steep riverbeds, mountainous terrain, and an almost entirely enclosed sea— makes it more vulnerable to flash floods. Although advancements in flood protection infrastructure and early warning systems have contributed to a reduction in mortality rates, over 250 million inhabitants residing in river basins across the Mediterranean remain at elevated risk of exposure to these increasingly severe climatic events. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) remains steadfast in addressing the effects of climate change for the Mediterranean, globally recognized as a climate change hotspot. At its next Plenary Session in Rome (20-21 February), the Assembly will present a comprehensive report with the latest environmental outlook of the region, together with a Resolution calling for more ambitious climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. Additional measures are fundamental to increase the climate resilience of the region, and MPs can play a crucial role in their implementation, as outlined in the “Parliamentarian’s guide to protecting the Mediterranean Sea and coast”, recently published by UNEP with the support of PAM. PAM will continue to prioritize these stances before the most important multilateral fora, including Climate COPs.  Looking ahead, PAM will convene the third edition of the Economic Parliamentary Forum for the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf regions on 9–10 May 2025 in Marrakesh, which will serve as a crucial platform for policymakers, climate specialists, and industry leaders to explore innovative strategies aimed at addressing climate change and advancing sustainable energy solutions across the region. #ClimateChange #Sustainability #GlobalWarming #ClimateAction Learn more:  https://lnkd.in/ddji4g6z

On 14 January, the President of the United States signed an Executive Order aimed at accelerating the development of advanced AI data centers on federal land, solidifying the nation's leadership in artificial intelligence innovation. The order directs federal agencies, including the Departments of Defense and Energy, to lease suitable federal land for the construction of AI-focused data centers, emphasizing the integration of renewable energy to achieve clean energy goals and safeguard surrounding communities. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM), supported by its Centre for Global Studies (CGS), remains committed to fostering responsible innovation in artificial intelligence, ensuring its beneficial use for all members of society. In this context, on 28 November, PAM-CGS, in partnership with the United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED)) and United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT)), published a comprehensive report etitled “The Malicious Use of AI and Emerging Technologies by Terrorist and Criminal Groups: Impact on Security, Legislation, and Governance.” The report underwent a rigorous peer review process involving contributions from the UN system, alongside strategic partners and leading think tanks such as Amazon, INTERPOL, Media Duemila, NATO, The Policy Center for the New South, and the Global Research Network (GRN) of CTED. The report sets essential guidelines to ensure the responsible use of AI, emphasizing robust frameworks for security, governance, and legislative measures to counter the malicious exploitation of emerging technologies by terrorist and criminal groups. It was presented at the 19th UN Internet Governance Forum in #Riyadh and shared with all Members of the UN Security Council during the high-level briefing on #ArtificialIntelligence convened under the United States Presidency on 19 December 2024. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g4y9mZfW

On 13 January 2025, Ms. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the Special Coordinator for Lebanon, briefed the United Nations Security Council on the recent developments in Lebanon. She welcomed the election of General Joseph Aoun as Head of State, on January 9, hoping that this would give impetus to strengthening institutions and implementing crucial reforms. She also noted a significant decrease in violence since the cessation of hostilities came into effect on November 27, while stressing the need to pursue efforts for Israeli withdrawal and Lebanese redeployment in the south of the country. The Special Coordinator for Lebanon also stressed the importance of discussions on implementing Resolution 1701 on both sides of the Blue Line, and in Lebanon beyond the two banks of the Litani River. She underlined the persistent humanitarian needs, calling for increased support for the Flash Appeal, extended until March 2025, and expressed the hope that the recent presidential election would enable an immediate influx of resources for the reconstruction of Lebanon. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) welcomes these developments and stands ready to support the Lebanese Presidency, Government, Parliament and people, in fostering peace, stability, political independence and national reconciliation, in accordance with the Taif Accord and Baabda declaration, UN Security Council resolutions 1701 (2006), 1559 (2004), and other relevant international agreements. Learn more : https://lnkd.in/deAzprc7 #Lebanon #UnitedNations

As reported by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs United Nations OCHA, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, is visiting Ukraine from 12 to 16 January. On 12 January in Zaporizhzhia, Mr Fletcher met with local authorities, visited the site of a missile strike on a medical clinic, and toured an underground school built in just six months, to host 1,000 children daily. In Dnipro, he visited a collective site for displaced individuals and a transit center in Pavlohrad. On 13 January, he visited the frontline areas of Donetsk, recognizing the efforts of first responders and NGOs in supporting local communities. Mr. Fletcher is set to visit Kharkiv today. On Thursday, he will join UNHCR’s High Commissioner, Filippo Grandi, in Kyiv to launch the 2025 Humanitarian and Refugee Response Plans for Ukraine and the region. PAM strongly supports such efforts and unequivocally condemns Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and reiterates its call for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The Assembly reaffirms its unwavering support for the full territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine, its democratically elected government and parliament, and expresses profound solidarity with the Ukrainian people during these challenging time. #Ukraine #Russia #War Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dszYdhrc

On 13 January, Mr. Nawaf Salam, President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), was elected as the new Prime Minister of Lebanon. In a statement, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, welcomed his election, highlighting the formation of a new government as a critical step forward for Lebanon. As announced by his Spokesperson on Monday during his daily briefing from New York, the Secretary-General plans to travel to Lebanon, to engage with the newly elected President and Prime Minister, and to meet with the UN peacekeeping force, UNIFIL, to express his support and commend their work. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) joins the UNSG in welcoming these positive political developments, and reaffirms its readiness to assist the Lebanese Presidency, Government, Parliament, and people, in advancing peace, stability, sovereignty, and national reconciliation, in alignment with the Taif Accord, the Baabda Declaration, and UN Security Council Resolutions 1701 (2006), 1559 (2004), as well as other relevant international frameworks. #Lebanon #UnitedNations #PrimeMinister Learn more: https://lnkd.in/d3izYY7T United Nations News

On 16 January 2024, Plan Bleu- a Regional Activity Centre of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) - will formally launch its report entitled "The Mediterranean Towards 2050”. The report addresses the critical challenges projected for the Mediterranean Basin in the coming decades, including environmental sustainability, economic development, and societal resilience. Through an in-depth presentational of several potential future scenarios, it seeks to equip policymakers with strategic insights and actionable guidance to foster sustainable development and reinforce regional cooperation. PAM has consistently supported Plan Blue in this effort. As such, in 2024 Plan Blue Director presented the preliminary findings of this report to the PAM Parliamentary Economic Forum in Marrakesh. This year, PAM will organize the Third edition of the Marrakesh Forum on 9-10 May, where Plan Blue will again be an important part of the discussions.  As a full-fledged Member of the UN Mediterranean Commission of Sustainable Development (MCSD), PAM reiterates its support for Plan Blue and for the whole Barcelona Convention’s system, as of the strongest partnership of the Assembly, as demonstrated with the publication, in 2024, of the "Parliamentarians’ Guide to Protecting the Mediterranean Sea and Coast”, as a joint collaborative efforts of UNEP-MAP and PAM. #Environment #Sea #Mediterranean Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dJ-ugNyq @Plan Bleu

On 10 January, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), released its latest report, entitled “Prospects for Children in 2025: Building Resilient Systems for Children’s Futures” which highlights the intensifying crises that are severely impacting children worldwide. Over 473 million children — more than one in six globally —live in areas affected by conflict, with the world experiencing the highest number of conflicts since World War II. And the percentage of the world’s children living in conflict zones has doubled — from around 10 per cent in the 1990s to almost 19 per cent today. In respose to this alarming development, the report underscores the importance of inclusive, equitable, and accountable systems to safeguard children’s rights and well-being, urging immediate action to address rising global tensions, sovereign debt crises, and digital inequalities. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) joins the international community in strongly condemning the systematic abuses and violations of children's rights, and continues to prioritize this issue within its broader Campaign against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants, in close collaboration with UNODC, PACE, and other international partners. #UNICEF #HumanRights #Children Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eBJRyzEg UNICEF 

This year, the 19th PAM Plenary Session, convened by H.E Enaam Mayara (Morocco), President of PAM, will be held on 20-21 February 2025 in Rome, generously hosted by the Speakers of the Italian Senate and Chamber of Deputies.   The event will serve as an important occasion for PAM Delegates to debate on critical regional and global challenges, fostering dialogue and shared approaches. The discussions will be further enriched by the interventions of high-level representatives of the Government of Italy and neighboring countries, executives and experts from international organizations, academia, private sector, and civil society.   The upcoming Plenary Session will also include the election of the new PAM President and Bureau for the biennium 2025–2026, highlighting the Assembly’s continued commitment to fostering collaboration and impactful diplomacy in the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf regions. As per PAM statutory principle of rotation, the upcoming President will be chosen from the Geopolitical Group North. #PAM19thPlenary