Last year, the UN General Assembly recognized a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a universal human right (Resolution 76/300). Climate change, a threat multiplier, has placed already disenfranchised populations to bear the increasing cost of its impacts. Climate health is directly linked to the Oceans as they serve as a vital buffer against climate change, absorbing nearly one-quarter of carbon dioxide emissions and roughly 90 percent of the excess heat generated by greenhouse gas emissions.
Climate threats are adversely affecting both marine and land ecosystems and populations on the forefront. Human rights defenders on environmental matters are urgently mobilizing to protect this recently adopted universal human right. Protections for both human rights defenders on environmental matters, including for Oceans and land are more urgent now than ever before. Through the Campaign to Mobilize Parliamentarians on Climate Action and the Campaign for the Protection of the Oceans and Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14, PGA Members champion these human rights protections and call for an end to impunity for crimes committed on and against the world’s oceans and their related human rights violations.
The Insights by Lawmakers on Climate Action & Oceans series (#InsightsByLawmakers) highlight ongoing efforts, national experiences, lessons learned and good practices implemented by parliamentarians to advance the goals of these Campaigns. In each episode, lawmakers from around the world share their insights, raising awareness and underlining the importance of taking action to protect our Ocean, our planet, and all human rights defenders on environmental matters.
Episode 19: Hon. Patrick Kensenhuis, MP (Suriname) on Human Rights and the Environment
In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Chair of PGA National Group, Hon. Patrick Kensenhuis, MP (Suriname) highlights the link between human rights and the environment, calling on fellow parliamentarians to defend the human rights of their constituents.
Episode 18: Ms. Petra Bayr (Austria) on the Oceans Campaign
Reflecting on PGA’s Oceans Campaign, PGA Treasurer Ms. Petra Bayr, MP (Austria) speaks to the impact the Campaign has on her work on human rights and the environment.
Episode 17: Dip. Ramón Barrios (Honduras) on the importance of the historic High Seas Treaty for human rights
Ahead of PGA's Third Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the Oceans (CAP-Oceans) taking place virtually on Day 1 of the 44th Annual Forum, Dip. Ramón Barrios (Honduras), Chair of the Legislation and Constitutional Affairs Committee reflects on the importance of the historic High Seas Treaty for human rights.
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Episode 16: Hon. Angela Brown-Burke, MP (Jamaica) on PGA's Oceans Campaign
Ahead of PGA's Third Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the Oceans (CAP-Oceans) taking place virtually on Day 1 of the 44th Annual Forum, PGA Board Member, Hon. Angela Brown-Burke, MP (Jamaica), underlines the key role of the Oceans campaign in empowering parliamentarians to protect the Ocean and ensure a sustainable future for all humankind.
Episode 15: Hon. Valerie Woods, MP (Belize) on the value of PGA's Oceans Campaign for her work on Human Rights and the Environment
Ahead of PGA's Third Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the Oceans (CAP-Oceans) taking place virtually on Day 1 of the 44th Annual Forum, Speaker of the House of Representatives, PGA Board Member and Climate Action Campaign Convenor, Hon Valerie Woods, MP (Belize) highlights the value of PGA's Oceans Campaign for her work on Human Rights and the Environment.
Episode 14: Sen. Emilio Icaza (Mexico) on the importance of the High Seas Treaty for Human Rights and Democracy
Ahead of the Third Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the Oceans (CAP-Oceans), taking place virtually on Day 1 of PGA's 44th Annual Forum, Sen. Emílio Icaza (Mexico), PGA Board Member reflects on the importance of the Highs Seas Treaty for Human Rights and Democracy.
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Episode 13 Special Feature: PGA Secretary-General, Ms. Mónica Adame on a Moratorium on Deep Seabed Mining
As the 28th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly begins its week-long meeting to formally discuss the growing call for a pause on deep seabed mining, PGA Secretary-General, Ms. Mónica Adame, reflects on the ongoing negotiations and calls on parliamentarians to defend the deep.
Episode 12: Hon. Magele Sekati Fiaui, MP (Samoa) on the #GenderClimateChallenge
Underscoring the vital role of women in addressing the impacts of climate change, Hon. Magele Sekati Fiaui, MP (Samoa), responds to PGA’s #GenderClimateChallenge question during the month of March: As a parliamentarian, what actions are you taking for gender equality today to build a more sustainable tomorrow?
Episode 11: Hon. Lenora Qereqeretabua, MP (Fiji), on the #GenderClimateChallenge
Sharing her insights on PGA’s #GenderClimateChallenge during the month of March, Hon. Lenora Qereqeretabua, MP (Fiji), Assistant Minister of Housing & Local Government and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives highlights the importance of community empowerment in her response to the Gender Climate Challenge: As a parliamentarian, what actions are you taking for gender equality today to build a more sustainable tomorrow?
Episode 10: Dip. Margarita Stolbizer (Argentina) on the #GenderClimateChallenge
Sharing her insight on PGA’s #GenderClimateChallenge during the month of March, PGA Board Member, Dip. Margarita Stolbizer (Argentina) addresses the question: As a parliamentarian, what actions are you taking for gender equality today to build a more sustainable tomorrow? test test
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Episode 9: Hon. Naveed Qamar (Pakistan) on the #GenderClimateChallenge
Special feature: Launching this year’s responses to the#GenderClimateChallenge, PGA President Hon. Naveed Qamar, MP (Pakistan) addresses the question: As a parliamentarian, what actions are you taking for gender equality today to build a more sustainable tomorrow?
Episode 8: Hon. Rozaina Adam (Maldives) on Marine Protected Areas
On the final episode surrounding IMPAC5 (the Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress in Vancouver, Canada from 3-9 February), PGA Board Member, Majority Chief Whip and Chair of the Independent Institutions Committee of the People's Majlis, Hon. Rozaina Adam (Maldives), speaks about the range of economic and human rights benefits provided by Marine Protected Areas.
Episode 7: Hon. Moustapha Saya (Cameroon) on Marine Protected Areas
Marking the final day of IMPAC5 (the Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress in Vancouver, Canada from 3-9 February), Hon. Moustapha Saya (Cameroon), Member of the Committee on Constitutional laws, Human Rights and Freedoms, Justice, Legislation and Standing Orders, and Administration shares the importance of protecting the Oceans through Marine Protected Areas for the present and future generations.
Episode 6: Dip. Graciela Camaño (Argentina) on Marine Protected Areas
Marking the ongoing IMPAC5 (the Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress in Vancouver, Canada from 3-9 February), Dip. Graciela Camaño (Argentina), Member of the Natural Resources and Conservation of the Human Environment Committee, highlights the need to sustainably protect the Ocean through highly and fully protected Marine Protected Areas.
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Episode 5: Sen. Emílio Icaza (Mexico) on Marine Protected Areas
Ahead of IMPAC5 (the Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress in Vancouver, Canada from 3-9 February), PGA Board Member, Sen. Emílio Icaza (Mexico), on the need to prioritize Marine Protected Areas to protect the Oceans.
Episode 4: Ms. Petra Bayr (Austria) on Marine Protected Areas
Ahead of IMPAC5 (the Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress in Vancouver, Canada from 3-9 February), PGA Treasurer, Ms. Petra Bayr, MP (Austria) highlights the urgent need for Ocean protection and the far-reaching positive impacts of Marine Protected Areas.
Episode 3: Dip. Juan Dionicio Rodríguez Restituyo (Dominican Republic) on Marine Protected Area
Ahead of IMPAC5 (the Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress in Vancouver, Canada from 3-9 February), Dip. Juan Dionicio Rodríguez Restituyo (Dominican Republic) shares the importance of taking action to protect the Oceans.
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Episode 2: Hon. Angela Brown Burke (Jamaica) on Marine Protected Areas
Ahead of IMPAC5 (the Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress in Vancouver, Canada from 3-9 February), PGA Board Member, Hon. Angela Brown Burke (Jamaica) shares the importance of Marine Protected Areas and protecting 30% of the Oceans by 2030.
Episode 1: Dep. António Niquice (Mozambique) on Small-Scale Fisheries
Dep. António Niquice (Mozambique), PGA Oceans Campaign Convenor and Chair of the Planning and Budget Commission of the Mozambican Parliament, shares the importance of prioritizing sustainability of small-scale fisheries.
