Parliamentarians for Global Action was welcomed into a series of conversations with key parliamentary leaders in Portugal last month as we explored opportunities to grow our network of legislative champions for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law within the Assembly of the Republic of Portugal. 

Mónica Adame, PGA’s secretary general, together with Ana Repas, program associate, met with several top leaders in the Assembly on February 20, 2025 to share more about the work of PGA. Their visit came after Deputada Cláudia Santos and Deputado Pedro Miguel Neves de Sousa attended PGA’s annual forum last year, became PGA members, and sought to share more about PGA’s work with their fellow MPs.  

Ms. Adame participated in hearings with the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, Rights, Freedoms and Guarantees; and the Committee on Environment and Energy of Portugal’s Assembly. In her meetings, Ms. Adame underscored the alignment between PGA's vision, mission, and long-term initiatives with the specific, impactful work carried out by these committees in the areas of human rights, the rule of law, democracy, and oceans and environmental protection. She shared PGA’s nearly five-decade legacy of action-oriented advocacy with attendees and emphasized the value of its more than 1,000 members around the world, working together to uphold democratic principles, human rights, and environmental protection. 

During her visit, Ms. Adame also met with Deputado José Pedro Aguiar Branco, President of the Assembly of the Republic of Portugal, expressing her commitment to strengthen collaboration with the Assembly in advancing common goals and promoting international norms and deepening multilateral collaboration. She emphasized the critical need to preserve spaces for dialogue among diverse political factions and across countries to counter the global context of polarization.  

In a separate meeting with Deputada Edite Estrela, the discussion centered on addressing the climate crisis through a human rights-based approach, emphasizing the protection of oceans, and promoting gender equality. 

We would like to express our deep appreciation to Deputada Cláudia Santos and Deputado Pedro Miguel Neves de Sousa for their kind invitation to Lisbon and their gracious hospitality at the Assembly of the Republic of Portugal.  

Additionally, we are delighted to welcome several new members from Portugal: Deputada Edite Estrela, Chair of the Committee on Culture, Communication, Youth and Sport, Deputado Salvador Malheiro, Chair of the Committee on Environment and Energy, Deputado Ricardo Pinheiro, Parliamentary Group Coordinator, Committee on Environment and Energy, Deputada Isabel Moreira, Parliamentary Group Coordinator, Committee on Constitutional Affairs, Rights, Freedoms and Guarantees, and Deputado José Iglésias, Member of the Committee on Environment and Energy.