Participation of PABSEC Delegation in the 32nd Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Porto, 29 June – 3 July 2025
The PABSEC Delegation, comprising Mr. Fatih Donmez, PABSEC Vice-President and Head of the Turkish PABSEC Delegation, and Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, took part in the 32nd Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly held in Porto, 29 June - 3 July 2025.
The session brought together delegates from OSCE member states, parliamentary representatives from partner countries, and officials from various international organizations. The primary theme of the session was “Commemorating 50 Years of the Helsinki Final Act: Responding to a New Reality in the OSCE.”
The Session was opened with addressed by the President of the Portuguese Republic Mr. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (via remote intervention), the President of the Portuguese Parliament Mr. José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, the OSCE PA President Ms. Pia Kauma, the United Nations Secretary General Mr. António Guterres (via remote intervention).
During the session, Mr. Fatih Dönmez, PABSEC Vice-President and Head of the Turkish PABSEC Delegation, delivered a statement, emphasizing the importance of multilateral dialogue and cooperation in addressing the evolving challenges facing the BSEC region. He noted that conflicts significantly affect the region by disrupting trade, damaging infrastructure, and discouraging investment. Mr. Donmez stressed that the restoration of peace and stability is crucial not only for the directly affected countries but also for regional and global security.
On the sidelines of the event, Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, Secretary General, participated in the meeting of the OSCE PA Silk Road Support Group. In his remarks, Mr. Hajiyev underscored the importance of strengthening inter-parliamentary dialogue and proposed a joint event of the PABSEC and the OSCE PA Silk Road Support Group to be organized in January 2026 in Istanbul or another BSEC Member State.
The Assembly concluded with the adoption of the Porto Declaration, which outlined key recommendations to national governments, parliaments, and international stakeholders in areas including security, human rights, economic and environmental policy.
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly elected Mr. Pere Joan Pons (Spain) as the new President, along with four Vice-Presidents, for a two-year term of office. The next session will take place in the Republic of Türkiye in 2025, followed by the Summer session in 2026, which will be hosted by the Netherlands.