Dear Colleagues,
As another year draws to a close, we reflect on the extraordinary resource at the heart of everything we do: our member parliamentarians. They are the cornerstone of PGA's work and the reason this network exists. In legislative bodies around the world, PGA members are championing the principles that define our organization — the very same core values that we want to define our societies: justice and the rule of law, respect for each other and the environment, democracy, accountability, and sustainable peace.
The achievements highlighted below reflect the deep level of commitment and dedication that PGA members give to seeing our civic space thrive. They prove that legislative action, when guided by principle and informed by peer-to-peer learning, can create meaningful change for communities at home and abroad.
In a time of increased polarization, when differences often seem insurmountable, PGA members demonstrate that cross-party collaboration to advance the most fundamental principles of our societies is not only possible but essential.
From The Gambia to Ecuador, from Pakistan to the Netherlands, PGA members have been working across political divides at the national level to ensure that support for human rights transcends partisanship. Whether convening to advance gender equality, strengthen environmental protections, or bolster international justice mechanisms, PGA members show us that shared values can unite even the most diverse political perspectives.
This year, PGA took an important step to ensure that the valuable insights and expertise of our parliamentary community can continue to inform PGA’s work even after a member’s term in office has concluded. We launched our Alumni Network, led by former PGA member, Esther Cuesta (Ecuador), to create a lasting connection to former members whose commitment to PGA principles extend beyond their parliamentary mandate. Current PGA members will benefit from the mentorship and experience of PGA alumni, while alumni will have the opportunity to stay connected to peers and PGA campaign issues.
As we look toward 2026, we do so with gratitude for the tireless work of our members and partners and with renewed commitment to supporting them in every way we can. Together, we continue building the rules-based international order necessary for a more equitable, safe, sustainable, and democratic world.
With appreciation,
Hon. Syed Naveed Qamar, MP (Pakistan)
President, Parliamentarians for Global Action
2025 KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
OCEANS PROTECTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE
Ratification of the High Seas Treaty
The groundbreaking United Nations High Seas Treaty achieved 60 ratifications in September 2025, triggering its entry into force in January 2026 as the first international, legally binding framework for the protection of the high seas. PGA members have championed the Treaty as an effective tool for robust ocean governance since 2019, with parliamentarians from countries around the world leading the calls for its universality and effective implementation.
Launch of the Escazú Agreement Toolkit
Parliamentarians for Global Action published the Toolkit for Parliamentarians on the Escazú Agreement: Promoting Human Rights in Environmental Matters, providing parliamentarians with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to effectively enhance climate governance and environmental rights throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
Strengthening Protection of Marine Areas
This year brought an over 1.6 percent increase of marine protected areas around the world, including the announcement of the first network of marine protected areas in São Tomé and Príncipe where PGA members have been increasing their calls for more robust implementation and co-management of these areas.
EQUALITY AND INCLUSION
Ending Early Forced Marriage in Pakistan
Pakistan's National Assembly passed a landmark bill raising the legal age of marriage to 18 for all children, thanks in large part to the activism of PGA member, Hon. Sharmila Faruqui, MP.
Raising awareness on gender apartheid
In June, the Senate of the Netherlands hosted a PGA roundtable where eight Afghan parliamentarians in exile led a dialogue on accountability mechanisms for Afghanistan. In September, PGA published a Gender Apartheid Policy Brief highlighting parliamentary pathways to codify gender apartheid as a crime against humanity.
Mónica Adame, PGA’s Secretary-General, spotlighted the issue of gender apartheid at the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative where she participated in the Democracy and Human Rights Working Group.
Promoting Inclusion in the Pacific
We launched a culturally grounded toolkit equipping Pacific parliamentarians with strategies for legislative reform and coalition-building to advance inclusion for Pacific Islanders with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and sex characteristics.
INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY
Launch of the Global Parliamentary Initiative on Responsible Artificial Intelligence
Addressing Cybercrime through Ratification of the Budapest Convention
Following PGA's Regional Pacific Islands Workshop on Cybercrime in Fiji in 2024, several participating countries ratified the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime. In 2025, that list grew to include Vanuatu and New Zealand. In addition, and largely due to the efforts of PGA Executive Committee Member, Hon. Bernard Georges, Seychelles was invited to join the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime. The Convention provides vital safeguards for human rights, including freedom of expression and privacy.
INTERNATIONAL LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Review of Amendments on the Crime of Aggression
In July, Parliamentarians for Global Action participated in the special session on the review of the amendments on the crime of aggression to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The session offered States Parties the opportunity to harmonize the Court's jurisdiction over the crime of aggression with that of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes — a matter for which PGA has long advocated.
Africa Working Group on International Justice
On 28 November, PGA convened 22 legislators from 15 African countries in Nairobi to discuss challenges and ways forward in achieving universality and effective implementation of the Rome Statute. Parliamentarians adopted a plan of action to reinforce efforts for the fight against impunity. Notably, Hon. Abdoulie Ceesay, MP (The Gambia), tabled a motion urging his government to incorporate the Rome Statute into domestic law and develop necessary legislation.
Advancing Efforts to Abolish the Death Penalty
PGA participated in the UN's Universal Periodic Review of Malawi's human rights record and co-organized a dedicated event to promote national abolition efforts during which a PGA Member, Hon. Musowa, reaffirmed Malawi’s strong commitment to achieve full abolition of the death penalty.
LOOKING FORWARD TO 2026
As we enter 2026, we do so with both resolve and hope. The challenges before us are significant, but so too is the strength of our global parliamentary network.
On 26 – 27 March, we will gather for the 46th PGA Annual Forum and 4th Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the Oceans (CAP-Oceans) in the Senate of Mexico in Mexico City. This convening will focus on the role pf parliamentarians in accelerating action for the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean and its resources through the effective implementation of marine protected areas in both national waters and the high seas.
Building on the momentum of this past year, we will continue to foster dialogue among parliamentarians and with our civil society partners. We will explore the development of new tools and resources to support our member parliamentarians in making meaningful progress on the issues at the heart of PGA’s mission. And we will continue our efforts to further international justice, strengthen thoughtful environmental governance, foster greater inclusion and equality in our legislatures and communities, safeguard democracy, and support the flourishing of peace and security.
Like many nonprofit organizations, PGA was challenged by cuts to our U.S. government funding in 2025. But the challenges we faced also yielded new opportunities from funders who demonstrated their trust and belief in the PGA model. These new partnerships affirm that our approach to empowering all parliamentarians to be champions for human rights remains as relevant and necessary as ever.
We are hopeful for what 2026 will bring and the opportunity to expand our partnerships to advance our shared vision for an equitable, safe, sustainable, and democratic world. Together with our member parliamentarians, we will continue to show that democracy, despite its imperfections, remains our best hope for creating a world where all people can live in peace, with dignity, freedom, and justice.