PAP’s Second Ordinary Session comes to an end

The Second Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) came to an end on Thursday with key resolutions and recommendations on the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA), climate change, peace and security issues in Africa, migration issues, fight against corruption and Africa’s socio-economic transformation.

Over 250 African Parliamentarians gathered in Midrand from 15 May to 02 June 2023 under the African Union Theme for 2023, “Accelerating the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).” The Session held a dedicated workshop on unbundling the landmark agreement and unpacking the strategic significance of the PAP in the implementation process.

The Session was declared open on 15 May by President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union H.E Azali Assouami. The leader of the Union stressed the strategic role of the PAP in achieving a prosperous and peaceful Africa. He further pledged support for the realization of the mandate of the PAP as the legislative arm of the AU.

The other key highlight was the 3rd African Parliamentarians Summit on Climate Policy and Equity, held on 16 – 17 May. The Summit was addressed by the President of the Republic of Kenya and Chair of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto.

The Summit galvanized a critical mass of stakeholders capable of catalyzing broad support for pro-poor, just, equitable, locally led and science-based decisions in nationally determined contributions (NDCs) implementation and overall climate action.

The Session attracted various other key stakeholders and high-level guests including Speakers of national, regional and continental Parliaments; diplomatic corps; international partners; and civil society organizations. This is testament to the significant progress made by the leadership to renew and reinvigorate the Continental Parliament.

Following robust debates, the PAP Plenary adopted several resolutions and recommendations stemming from the work of Committees held in March 2023, with some of them being subject to amendment. These include the Resolution on the PAP support of the financial transactions tax on climate action; Resolution by Women Caucus on current war in Sudan and its effects on women and children; Resolution on promotion of peace and security in Africa; Resolution on the development of a Model Law on Climate change for Africa; and Resolution on the Place of traditional medicine in the African Health systems.

The Session also adopted recommendations that include, Recommendation by Women caucus “for an inclusive digital world: Innovation and technologies for gender equality”; Recommendation from the youth dialogue held in the Kingdom of Morocco (Rabat) 4-6 December 2022; Recommendation on Climate Policy and Equity in Africa; Recommendation for the resolution on the ongoing conflict in Sudan and promotion of peace and stability in the region; and a Motion proposed by the Permanent Committee on gender equality, the family, youth and persons with disabilities on the budget of the PAP.

Another notable achievement of the Session was the approval for the appointment of first female Clerk of the Parliament after the retirement of the last substantive Clerk in March 2022.