15th May 2024 – Braga, Portugal. On the first day of the 18th PAM Plenary Session, PAM delegates reviewed the work carried out in 2023 by the 3rd Standing Committee on Dialogue among Civilizations and Human Rights, and the activities planned for the 2025 period.
Hon. Pedro Roque (Portugal), PAM Vice-President and President of the 3rd Standing Committee, chaired the session, which featured addresses from various distinguished guests: Mr. Weixiong Chen, Deputy Executive Director, UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate and General Mirko Šundov, former Chief of Staff in the Croatian Armed Forces.
Reports and resolutions on “Digital transformation across public and private sectors in the PAM region” and “Navigating the Current Landscape of Artificial Intelligence: Progress, Challenges, and Future Horizons in the PAM region” were respectively presented by Hon. Ray Abela (Malta) and Hon. Abdelouahab Yagoubi (Algeria).
The Report “Digital transformation across public and private sectors in the PAM region” remarked the importance of recognizing the transformative power of digitalization to achieve sustainable development and follow the 2030 Agenda. In an increasingly interconnected society, the world needs to be more inclusive and secure, especially to vulnerable and aging citizens. “Through multilateral cooperation and the creation of an inclusive legislative environment, we must ensure equal access to digital empowerment to all”, Hon. Abela stated, encouraging Members of Parliament to engage in constructive dialogue together.
The Algerian delegation expressed its concerns about the malicious use of AI and reaffirmed the need of carrying out studies and create a legislative framework to control the way New Technologies are used. The Egyptian Delegation commended PAM for recognizing President Al-Sisi dedication to peace and stability. Through innovative digital initiatives and the use of AI, Egypt strives for regional and global peace.
The report “Navigating the Current Landscape of Artificial Intelligence: Progress, Challenges, and Future Horizons in the PAM region” emphasized the need of cooperation between PAM Member States to monitor AI development and implement a comprehensive normative framework to regulate AI.
The Portugal Delegation highlighted opportunities and challenges of this new technology. AI represents a revolution, but it also faces ethical dilemmas and regulatory challenges that we must face with determination, promoting sustainable economic development. The Delegation of Türkiye stressed the challenges that AI poses to democracy and the rule of law, underlining the importance of a multi-faceted approach and collaboration across all stakeholders. Afterwards, the Delegation of UAE emphasized the rise in unemployment and the need to address it for policymakers, in order to improve the labour market.
Several contributions enriched the debate with particularly insightful inputs from Sen. Marie-Arlette Carlotti, PAM Vice-President and Special Rapporteur on Migration; Hon. Joana Lima (Portugal), President of the PAM Women Parliamentary Forum; Hon. Dherar Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi (UAE), PAM Senior Advisor on Trafficking in Human Beings, who presented the PAM Campaign on the Fight against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants; Ms. Sheika Saeed Al Mansouri, DG of Dubai Foundation for Women and Children; and one last intervention from Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the UNODC.
Finally, the two resolutions have been adopted by consensus. //