Report

From 30 June to 4 July 2023, a delegation of 10 Canadian parliamentarians participated in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly’s (OSCE PA) 30^th Annual Session, which was held in Vancouver, Canada. The delegation comprised:

• The Honourable Dr. Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P., head of delegation;

• The Honourable Senator Peter Boehm;

• The Honourable Senator Michael MacDonald;

• The Honourable Senator Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler;

• The Honourable Ya’ara Saks, P.C., M.P.;

• Mr. John Aldag, M.P.;

• Mr. Luc Berthold, M.P.;

• Mr. Don Davies, M.P.;

• Ms. Kristina Michaud, M.P.;

• Mr. Francesco Sorbara, M.P.

The Honourable Senator Raymonde Gagné, Speaker of the Senate, and Mr. Chris d’Entremont, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, participated in the Opening Plenary and selected Annual Session meetings and events. The Honourable Senator Marilou McPhedran and the Honourable Senator Rosemary Moodie attended the Annual Session as observers.

The delegation was assisted by Grégoire Gayard, Brian Hermon and Anne-Marie Therrien-Tremblay, Advisors, and Matthieu Boulianne, the Association’s Secretary.

2023 OSCE PA ANNUAL SESSION

More than 225 parliamentarians from 50 OSCE participating States met in Vancouver for the OSCE PA’s 30^th Annual Session. The theme of the Annual Session was “Strengthening Regional Security by Fostering Democratic and Inclusive Societies: The Role of the OSCE PA.” This was the second time that Canada hosted an Annual Session of the OSCE PA. Canada last hosted the Annual Session in Ottawa in 1995.

The Annual Session included a meeting of the Standing Committee, three plenary sessions, as well as meetings of the three OSCE PA General Committees: Political Affairs and Security; Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and the Environment; and Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions. The Annual Session also included a meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on Migration,[1] as well as a working lunch on gender issues. The Canadian delegation participated in various side events and bilateral meetings over the course of the Annual Session.

The Vancouver Declaration was adopted during the closing plenary.[2] The declaration contains resolutions of the three General Committees as well as 16 supplementary items (SIs) which had been proposed by individual delegates. Elections for OSCE PA Bureau positions, including President, Vice-President and Treasurer, as well as for committee officers, including Chair, Vice-Chair and Rapporteur, also took place during the 30^th Annual Session.

STANDING COMMITTEE

The Standing Committee, which comprises OSCE PA heads of delegation and members of the Bureau, met on 30 June 2023. The Standing Committee approved the allocation of the 16 SIs to the plenary and the three General Committees. OSCE PA President Margareta Cederfelt (Sweden) and OSCE PA Secretary General Roberto Montella also presented their annual reports to the Standing Committee. [3]

OSCE PA Treasurer Peter Juel-Jensen (Denmark) presented a budget proposal for 2023–2024 in the amount of €4,195,184, or a 2% increase from the 2022–2023 budget.[4] Canada’s national contribution for 2023–2024 is €232,006, as determined by the national scales of contribution established at the OSCE intergovernmental level. Mr. Juel-Jensen said that the budget reflected the minimum basic needs of the Assembly. The budget was adopted without amendment. The Standing Committee also approved an extra-budgetary allocation of €18,000 for an integrated performance and business audit of the OSCE PA.

Members of the Standing Committee adopted two amendments to the Rules of Procedure which had been referred to it by the Sub-Committee on the Rules of Procedure. The amendments modify Rules 7 and 35 of the Rules of Procedure to strengthen gender balance among appointments made by the President of the Assembly and to ad hoc committees, respectively. The Standing Committee also agreed to a proposal to establish a new ad hoc committee focused on addressing the consequences of the war in Ukraine.

Finally, the Standing Committee agreed that Armenia would host the 2023 Autumn Meeting of the OSCE PA.

A. ACTIVITIES OF THE CANADIAN DELEGATION

Dr. Fry represented the Canadian delegation at the Standing Committee. Dr. Fry spoke in support of the amendments to the Rules of Procedure aimed at strengthening gender balance in the Assembly.

OPENING PLENARY SESSION

The Opening Plenary featured remarks by the Honourable Senator Raymonde Gagné, Speaker of the Senate, and Mr. Chris d’Entremont, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, both of whom welcomed delegates to Vancouver and spoke about the need for unity to address global challenges. A video message was delivered by the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, who underlined the Government of Canada’s support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Dr. Fry also delivered opening remarks. Dr. Fry said the theme of the 30^th Annual Session – which emphasized the importance of democracy, diversity, and inclusion – was reflective of both Canadian values and the ambitions of the OSCE PA.

In her remarks, President Cederfelt said that the OSCE PA must support and remain united with Ukraine. She also spoke about other security challenges in the OSCE region, including in the Western Balkans, the South Caucasus and Central Asia, and urged delegates to maintain a focus on these regional tensions and threats.

Following these interventions, delegates debated and adopted the following SI:

• OSCE and OSCE PA Credibility in the face of Continued Russian Aggression Against Ukraine (Mr. Mykyta Poturaiev, Ukraine)

A.   ACTIVITIES OF THE CANADIAN DELEGATION

In addition to the interventions of Canadian parliamentarians noted above, Ms. Michaud intervened during the Opening Plenary in support of the SI by Mr. Poturaiev. She emphasized that OSCE PA participating States should heed the SI’s call to ensure accountability for Russian war crimes committed in Ukraine.

GENERAL COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL AFFAIRS AND SECURITY

Chair: Mr. Richard Hudson (United States)

Vice-Chair: Mr. Costel Neculai Dunava (Romania)

Rapporteur: Mr. Laurynas Kasciunas (Lithuania)

The First General Committee considered and debated a report and a draft resolution submitted by the Rapporteur. These documents focused on the war in Ukraine and the need to ensure continued political, financial, humanitarian and military support to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression. The Rapporteur’s draft resolution also addressed other regional security issues, including the situations in Georgia and the Transdniestrian region of Moldova, as well as bilateral tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Following the Rapporteur’s presentation of the report and draft resolution, delegates debated issues raised in these documents. Proposed amendments to the draft resolution were then debated, and the draft resolution was adopted as amended. The First General Committee also debated and adopted four SIs proposed by delegates:

• The Wagner Group’s Terroristic Nature and Actions (Mr. Reinhold Lopatka, Austria)

• Clarifying the Consequences of Russia’s Aggression against Ukraine in Terms of Adherence to the OSCE Principles (Ms. Daniela De Ridder, Germany)

• Future Generations (Ms. Farah Karimi, Netherlands)

• The Republic of Moldova (Mr. Dan Barna, Romania)

The following individuals were re-elected as officers of the First General Committee for 2023–2024:

Chair: Mr. Richard Hudson (United States)

Vice-Chair: Mr. Costel Neculai Dunava (Romania)

Rapporteur: Mr. Laurynas Kasciunas (Lithuania)

A.   ACTIVITIES OF THE CANADIAN DELEGATION

During the general debate on the Rapporteur’s report, Ms. Michaud spoke about Russia’s dangerous nuclear rhetoric and the importance of ensuring safety at Ukraine’s nuclear power plants. Mr. Berthold also intervened in response to the Rapporteur’s report. His remarks focused on the war in Ukraine, including the displacement of Ukrainian refugees.

Dr. Fry sponsored an amendment to the committee’s draft resolution that encouraged OSCE participating States to redouble international efforts to achieve the global elimination of nuclear weapons. The amendment was adopted. Mr. Berthold made an oral amendment to a paragraph in the committee’s draft resolution dealing with the OSCE Court of Conciliation and Arbitration. The amendment was adopted.

Mr. Sorbara spoke in support of Ms. De Ridder’s SI on the consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. His remarks focused on Russia’s human rights violations in Ukraine and the need for parliamentarians to protect civilian populations and to hold Russia accountable. Mr. Sorbara also spoke in support of Mr. Barna’s SI on the Republic of Moldova. He commended Moldova for its humanitarian support for Ukrainian refugees and noted that Canada supports Moldova’s efforts toward European integration. He also called on Russia to withdraw its troops and munition stockpiles from Transnistria.

GENERAL COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

Chair: Mr. Azay Guliyev (Azerbaijan)

Vice-Chair: Mr. Artur Gerasymov (Ukraine)

Rapporteur: Ms. Gudrun Kugler (Austria)

The Second General Committee considered and debated a report and a draft resolution submitted by the Rapporteur. The overall focus of Ms. Kugler’s report and draft resolution was the “multiple crises” affecting the OSCE region, including climate change, the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic. The documents also addressed energy security, including through equitable, inclusive and affordable transition to cleaner and diverse energy sources. The draft resolution further highlighted the need to combat human trafficking, and issues related to digitization and technology.

Following the Rapporteur’s presentation of the report and draft resolution, delegates debated issues raised in these documents. Proposed amendments to the draft resolution were then debated, and the draft resolution was adopted as amended. The Second General Committee also debated and adopted three SIs proposed by delegates:

• Microplastic and Nanoplastic Pollution (Mr. John Aldag, Canada)

• A Structured Set of Rules for a Regular Performance Audit of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (Ms. Irene Charalambides, Cyprus)

• Greater Exploiting the Potential of Science Diplomacy for International Co-operation and Active Peace Policy (Ms. Daniela De Ridder, Germany)

The following individuals were re-elected as officers of the Second General Committee for 2023–2024:

Chair: Mr. Azay Guliyev (Azerbaijan)

Vice-Chair: Mr. Artur Gerasymov (Ukraine)

Rapporteur: Ms. Gudrun Kugler (Austria)

A.   ACTIVITIES OF THE CANADIAN DELEGATION

During the general debate on the Rapporteur’s report, Mr. Aldag spoke about threats posed by climate change in the Arctic region as well as the need to combat economic crimes. Mr. Aldag also spoke about microplastic and nanoplastic pollution, which is the topic of an SI he sponsored. Ms. Saks made an intervention on women's economic security and the social and economic benefits of ensuring access to affordable childcare. Ms. Saks provided examples of the Canadian government’s work in these areas.

Mr. Aldag presented an amendment to the Second Committee’s draft resolution drawing attention to the subject of biodiversity loss, and encouraging OSCE participating States to implement the Kunming–Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at the 15^th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. Mr. Aldag presented his draft resolution on Microplastic and Nanoplastic Pollution,[5] which was adopted by the Second Committee with six amendments. The draft resolution signals the importance of addressing the impacts of microplastic and nanoplastic pollution. In his presentation, Mr. Aldag noted the growing body of knowledge examining the environmental and human health impacts of microplastics and nanoplastics and encouraged additional research on the topic. Senator Osler then spoke in support of Mr. Aldag’s draft resolution. Senator Osler highlighted the role of parliamentarians in consulting the public and stakeholders and advising their governments to develop regulatory frameworks relating to microplastics and nanoplastics.

GENERAL COMMITTEE ON DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMANITARIAN QUESTIONS

Chair: Mr. Nikoloz Samkharadze (Georgia)

Vice-Chair: Ms. Farah Karimi (Netherlands)

Rapporteur: Mr. Johan Buser (Sweden)

The Third General Committee considered and debated a report and a draft resolution submitted by the Rapporteur. The draft resolution focused on four main themes: the suffering of those affected by war; the weakening faith in political and democratic processes; the rights of minorities and vulnerable groups; and the impact of technology and digitalization on people’s rights.

Following the Rapporteur’s presentation of the draft report and draft resolution, delegates debated issues raised in these documents. Proposed amendments to the draft resolution were then debated and adopted, and the draft resolution was adopted as amended. The Third General Committee also debated and adopted six SIs proposed by delegates:

• Adopting Effective Mechanisms to Safeguard Ukrainian Women and Children from Abuse, Exploitation, and Human Trafficking (Mr. Chris Smith, United States)

• Condemnation of the Destruction of Polish Graves in Belarus (Mr. Björn Söder, Sweden)

• Support for a Democratic Belarus (Ms. Siv Mossleth, Norway)

• The Consequences of Russia’s Aggression Against Ukraine with regard to Women and Children (Mr. Radoslaw Fogiel, Poland)

• Penalizing Deportation of Ukrainian Children, Prosecuting Perpetrators, and Ensuring Return (Ms. Renata Alt, Germany)

• The Role of National Parliaments in Enhancing Participation of Civil Society in Parliamentary and Decision-Making Processes (Mr. Kyriakos Hadjiyianni, Cyprus)

The following individuals were elected as officers for the Third General Committee for 2023–2024:

Chair: Ms. Lucie Potuckova (Czech Republic)

Vice-Chair: Mr. Sargis Khandanyan (Armenia)

Rapporteur: Mr. Malik Ben Achour (Belgium)

A.   ACTIVITIES OF THE CANADIAN DELEGATION

During the general debate on the Rapporteur’s report, Ms. Saks spoke about the Canadian experience with a hybrid parliament, which she said has had particular benefits for women, parliamentarians with families, and those representing rural and remote areas. Dr. Fry also spoke in response to the Rapporteur’s report. She emphasized the link between inclusion and security and commended the focus that the Rapporteur placed in his report on violence against women journalists.

Dr. Fry sponsored two amendments to the committee’s resolution. The first amendment introduced a paragraph that urged OSCE participating States to strengthen their support to non-governmental and governmental organizations assisting sexual violence survivors in Ukraine and the OSCE area. The second amendment introduced a paragraph that called on OSCE participating States hosting refugees and forcibly displaced persons to adopt policies to prevent gender- and identity-based discrimination, and to ensure these refugees and displaced persons have access to sexual and reproductive health rights and services. Both amendments were adopted.

Ms. Saks also sponsored an amendment to the draft resolution. The amendment by Ms. Saks introduced a paragraph to the resolution urging OSCE participating States to increase their engagement with the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism in order to build knowledge and capacity to better respond to foreign threats to democracy.

Mr. Sorbara spoke in favour of the SI proposed by Mr. Smith (United States) on safeguarding Ukrainian women and children from abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. He said that Canada fully supports the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court, including against Russian President Vladimir Putin, for the war crime of the unlawful deportation of children. He also encouraged OSCE participating States to take measures to address human trafficking and child and sexual exploitation risks stemming from the war.

Dr. Fry made an intervention in support of the SI proposed by Ms. Renata Alt (Germany) on penalizing deportation of Ukrainian children, prosecuting the perpetrators, and ensuring their return. Dr. Fry strongly condemned the abduction and forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia or occupied Ukrainian territories, and underscored that children are being subject to indoctrination aimed at undermining their Ukrainian identity. Dr. Fry called on OSCE participating States to support the decision by the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants for President Putin and Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights for the war crime of the unlawful deportation of children.

SECOND AND FINAL PLENARIES

During the Second Plenary, delegates considered the following two SIs:

• Rising Antisemitism in the OSCE Region (Mr. Ben Cardin, United States)

• The Gendered Consequences of Armed Conflicts (Dr. Hedy Fry, Canada)

Both supplementary items were adopted without amendment.

Following consideration of the SIs, delegates were addressed by the three candidates running for the position of President of the OSCE PA: Ms. Pia Kauma (Finland), Mr. Mark Pritchard (United Kingdom), and Mr. Pere Joan Pons (Spain). Delegates were also addressed by the chairs of the Ad Hoc Committee on Migration and the Ad Hoc Committee on Countering Terrorism, as well as various special representatives and the heads of recent OSCE PA election observation missions. President Cederfelt also summarized the activities of the OSCE PA’s Call for Action – Helsinki + 50 Initiative. Following these interventions, approximately 50 delegates spoke during the open debate which continued into the Final Plenary.

During the Final Plenary, the Honourable Bujar Osmani, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia, provided a video message. Delegates were also addressed by Mr. Matteo Mecacci, Director of the OSCE Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.

The Vancouver Declaration was adopted during the Final Plenary and the results of the elections for officers of the OSCE PA were announced. The following individuals were elected as officers to the OSCE PA:

• Ms. Pia Kauma (Finland) elected President to the end of the 2024 Session;

• Mr. Kyriakos Hadjiyianni (Cyprus) elected Vice-President to the end of the 2026 Annual Session;

• Ms. Daniela De Ridder (Germany) elected Vice-President to the end of the 2026 Annual Session;

• Mr. Mykyta Poturaiev (Ukraine) elected Vice-President to the end of the 2026 Annual Session;

• Mr. Johan Büser (Sweden) elected Treasurer to the end of the 2025 Annual Session.

A.   ACTIVITIES OF THE CANADIAN DELEGATION

During the Second Plenary, both Dr. Fry and Ms. Saks spoke in support of the report by Mr. Ben Cardin (United States), OSCE PA Special Representative on Antisemitism, as well as the SI that he presented on the issue of antisemitism. As OSCE PA Special Representative on Gender Issues, Dr. Fry also presented her 2023 gender report entitled Understanding and Addressing the Gendered Consequences of the War in Ukraine.[6] Mr. Sorbara intervened to encourage OSCE PA members to read Dr. Fry’s gender report. He drew attention to some of the report’s recommendations, including that OSCE participating states should support a gender-inclusive response to the war in Ukraine.

During the Second Plenary, Dr. Fry also presented her SI on The Gendered Consequences of Armed Conflicts, which was unanimously adopted without amendment. Senator Osler made an intervention in support of Dr. Fry’s SI. Senator Osler highlighted the SI’s call to support a survivor-centred approach when responding to conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence.

Four Canadian delegates intervened during the open debate in the Second and Final Plenary. Senator Boehm spoke about the importance of multilateralism and the rules-based international order. He stressed that we are at a global inflection point and stated that the OSCE can be a key forum for addressing the war in Ukraine, its aftermath, and for supporting the institutional rebuild of that country. Mr. Sorbara spoke about hybrid security threats, including state sponsored disinformation campaigns, which he said have a corrosive effect on democracy. He encouraged OSCE participating States to share tools and approaches for addressing hybrid threats to security.

Ms. Michaud began her remarks by thanking the interpreters and all the staff who worked to make the Annual Session a success. She reminded the Assembly of the consequences of Russia’s war in Ukraine and stressed the role of OSCE and OSCE PA in supporting Ukraine. She also mentioned the importance of including younger generations in the work of the OSCE PA. Mr. Berthold drew attention to the importance of strengthening the role of the OSCE and its parliamentary dimension and spoke about the need to ensure that the OSCE PA’s work – and specifically the recommendations contained in the Vancouver Declaration – is taken into account by governments, national parliaments and others.

Finally, Dr. Fry provided closing remarks during the Final Plenary in which she expressed support for the incoming leadership of the OSCE PA and thanked outgoing President Margareta Cederfelt for her work and devotion. She welcomed the adoption of the Vancouver Declaration, which she said underlines the OSCE PA’s support for Ukraine. Dr. Fry also thanked the Canadian support staff and International Secretariat for their work in organizing a successful Annual Session.

WORKING LUNCH ON GENDER ISSUES

The theme of the annual working lunch on gender issues was “Gender-related considerations in armed conflicts: A parliamentary perspective.” The event was co-hosted by Dr. Fry and the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth.

In her remarks, Dr. Fry presented the findings of her 2023 gender report entitled Understanding and Addressing the Gendered Consequences of the War in Ukraine. Dr. Fry also highlighted the progress of gender balance within the OSCE PA and the OSCE PA International Secretariat in recent years. Ms. Saks delivered remarks on behalf of Minister Ien who was unable to attend. Ms. Saks provided examples of steps Canada has taken to protect and advocate for women in situations of conflict.

Remarks by Dr. Fry and Ms. Saks were followed by panel presentations by Dr. Lauryn Oates, Executive Director of Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, and Dr. Katharina Coleman, Associate Professor of political science at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Oates spoke about supporting education for women and girls in situations of instability and armed conflict and provided an update on the state of women and girls’ rights in Afghanistan. Dr. Coleman presented her research on UN peace operations and discussed civilian peace operations in the OSCE region through a gender lens.

During the open discussion, several OSCE PA members took the floor to discuss actions that parliamentarians and parliaments can take to ensure that their country’s international assistance policies are gender sensitive. Examples of the actions discussed included the adoption of feminist foreign policies and support for women’s participation in elected politics. President Cederfelt also spoke in support of Dr. Fry’s work as OSCE PA Special Representative on Gender Issues and encouraged greater efforts to promote gender equality in the OSCE region.

AD HOC COMMITTEE ON MIGRATION

On 30 June 2023, members of the OSCE PA Ad Hoc Committee on Migration attended an event on “Best practices and challenges regarding the sponsorship of refugees and the integration and settlement of newcomers to Canada” organized by Dr. Fry. The event took place at the offices of S.U.C.C.E.S.S., a newcomers’ settlement organization, and featured remarks by Dr. Fry and Mark Pritchard (United Kingdom), Chair of the Committee and OSCE PA Vice-President, as well as panel discussions. Panellists provided an overview of Canada’s immigration and refugee programs offered by the Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of British Columbia (AMSSA), as well as the services provided by S.U.C.C.E.S.S. and Rainbow Refugee.

The OSCE PA Ad Hoc Committee on Migration met on 1 July 2023 to discuss its recent activities, including a field visit to Moldova that took place in March 2023, as well as its upcoming work. Senator Osler attended the meeting as an observer.

SIDE EVENTS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

On 29 June 2023, Canadian delegates attended a briefing by Ms. Jocelyn Kinnear, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the OSCE. Ambassador Kinnear provided an overview of the OSCE, including its mandate and the challenges it faces, and spoke about Canada’s role and priorities at the OSCE. Discussions focused on the security situation in the OSCE region, including in Ukraine, relations among OSCE participating States and organizational challenges facing the OSCE.

As well, Canadian delegates attended the following side-events and activities over the course of the 30^th Annual Session:

• A meeting of the OSCE PA Network of Young Parliamentarians held on 1 July 2023.

• A side event on “Countering the Rise in Antisemitism and Other Hate-Based Incidents: Government Action and Leadership” hosted by Senator Ben Cardin (United States) on 3 July 2023.

• A side event on “Common Security, Nuclear Risk-Reduction and the UN Summit of the Future” organized by Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament and hosted by Dr. Fry on 3 July 2023.

BILATERAL MEETINGS

Over the course of the 30^th Annual Session, Canadian delegates participated in bilateral meetings with:

• delegates of the Delegation of Azerbaijan on 1 July 2023;

• delegates of the Delegation of Ukraine on 1 July 2023;

• delegates of the Delegation of the United States and members of ParlAmericas on 2 July 2023;

• Ms. Pia Kauma (Finland), Vice-President of the OSCE PA, on 2 July 2023;

• delegates of the Delegation of Kazakhstan on 2 July 2023;

• delegates of the Delegation of the United States on 2 July 2023;

• delegates of the Delegation of Mongolia on 2 July 2023;

• delegates of the Delegation of Lithuania on 2 July 2023;

• delegates of the Delegation of the United Kingdom on 2 July 2023;

• Mr. Matteo Mecacci, Director of the OSCE Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, on 3 July 2023; and

• delegates of the Delegation of Uzbekistan on 3 July 2023.

Respectfully submitted,

The Honourable Dr. Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P.
Director, Canadian Delegation to the OSCE PA