18 April 2024, New York - A high-level delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean met with H.E. Dennis Francis, President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), at UNHQ in New York.

The PAM delegation was led by Hon. Pedro Roque (Portugal), Vice-President of PAM, and included H.E. Hon. Mohammed Abou El Enein, Vice-President of the Egyptian Parliament and PAM President Emeritus; Hon. Giulio Centemero (Italy), Vice-President of PAM; H.E. Amb. Dr. Abdulsalam AlMadani (UAE), PAM Roving Ambassador for the GCC and Chairman of the PAM/CGS; Hon. Gennaro Migliore(Italy), President Emeritus of PAM and Director of the PAM/CGS; Amb. Hon. Majallie Whbee (Israel), PAM Roving Ambassador; Amb. Qazi Shaukat Fareed, PAM Permanent Observer to the UN in New York, and the Secretary General of PAM.

The meeting focused on how PAM could continue to assist the work of the UNGA in facing current unprecedented security challenges and potential devastating scenarios in the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf regions.

President Francis stressed the key role that PAM has played over the years to keep open channels of communication and cooperation, that would otherwise be unthinkable.

Regarding the Middle East crisis, he highlighted the urgent need for the parties to exercise maximum restraint towards de-escalation of violence, in order to reach a long-lasting political solution, which is the only way to avoid recurring confrontations. Furthermore, he requested PAM to assist the UN and international community in deflating, through judgment and courage, potential risks and extensive risks fuelled by propaganda and radical narrative.

In addition, PAM delegates pledged their support for the promotion and implementation of the #UNGAChooseSustainability campaign, to adopt sustainable habits and actions, individually and as an organization, in relation to, inter alia, climate change, food security, migrations and education. //