Parliamentarians for Global Action

Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) is a non-profit, non-partisan international network of legislators from elected parliaments. It works through parliamentary advocacy, policy engagement, legislative support, public campaigns, and cross-border cooperation on issues that individual governments or parliaments may struggle to address alone. The organization describes its broad purpose as contributing to a rules-based international order that is more equitable, safe, and democratic. PGA was established in Washington, D.C., in 1978 during the Cold War. Its early work concentrated on nuclear disarmament and radiological security. Over time, its agenda expanded to encompass international criminal justice, human rights, democracy, peace and security, arms regulation, gender equality, inclusion, population issues, and climate justice. Membership is open to individual legislators, and the network has included members from approximately 1,200 legislators in 139 parliaments, according to the reference material. One of PGA’s longest-running priorities has been the creation and consolidation of a permanent international criminal court. Beginning in 1989, the organization advocated for the court’s establishment, promoted ratification of the Rome Statute, and supported the incorporation of its obligations into domestic law. PGA also helped organize the Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the International Criminal Court and Rule of Law, known as CAP-ICC. The assembly provided a forum for legislators to exchange strategies concerning the International Criminal Court, national implementation legislation, accountability, and the rule of law. PGA’s peace and democracy work has included advocacy for stronger controls on the international trade in small arms and light weapons, implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty, and action against illicit arms transfers that contribute to conflict or instability. Its campaigns have also addressed nuclear and radiological security, cybersecurity, autonomous weapons, biological weapons, and implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 concerning weapons of mass destruction. The organization’s Gender, Equality, and Inclusion Programme has focused on equality and non-discrimination, the rights of women and girls, early and forced marriage, female genital mutilation, and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. A parliamentary campaign against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity was launched in 2014. PGA’s wider Democratic Renewal and Human Rights work has supported legislators confronting democratic deterioration, political persecution, and human-rights violations. PGA is distinct from a conventional commercial brand: its principal offerings are policy programs, legislative assistance, parliamentary networks, convenings, and advocacy campaigns rather than consumer products. Its membership has included senior political figures, former heads of government, cabinet ministers, committee chairs, and legislators who later assumed senior national or international offices. The organization’s principal office is in New York City, while its foundation is based in The Hague, close to institutions including the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. Reference material identifies support from governmental donors, international institutions, and philanthropic foundations, including SIDA, the Stewart R. Mott Foundation, the OAK Foundation, the European Commission, and the United Nations Trust Facility Supporting Cooperation on Arms Regulation.

Parliamentarians for Global Action was created in Washington, D.C., in 1978 by legislators concerned that major international problems required coordinated action beyond the capacity of any one national parliament. Its formation took place during the Cold War, and nuclear disarmament was among its initial priorities. The organization developed as a non-partisan parliamentary network rather than as a political party or intergovernmental body, allowing individual legislators from different countries and political traditions to cooperate around shared international objectives. During the late twentieth century, PGA broadened its scope from nuclear issues to international law, human rights, democracy, peace, and human security. A central institutional priority emerged in 1989, when the network began promoting the establishment of a permanent international criminal court. It later advocated for ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and for national legislation capable of implementing the treaty. PGA has credited its parliamentary work with contributing to ratification in numerous States Parties and the adoption of implementing laws in several countries. The International Law and Human Rights Programme became one of the organization’s principal vehicles for this work. Its most prominent parliamentary gathering has been the Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the International Criminal Court and Rule of Law, or CAP-ICC. The assembly met annually in Ottawa in 2002, New York in 2003, and New Zealand in 2004. It subsequently adopted a biennial format, with sessions held in Japan in 2006, Santo Domingo in 2008, Kampala in 2010, and Rome in 2012. These meetings brought legislators together to discuss accountability, national implementation of international criminal law, cooperation with international justice institutions, and the rule of law. PGA’s peace and democracy work has addressed arms control and conflict prevention. The organization has encouraged parliamentary support for stronger regulation of small arms and light weapons, adherence to relevant regional agreements, and implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons. It also promoted the Arms Trade Treaty, working with legislators on treaty signature, ratification, and domestic implementation. Its wider campaign portfolio has included nuclear and radiological security, cybersecurity, autonomous weapons, and the Biological Weapons Convention, together with efforts to support implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540. The network’s social and human-rights agenda expanded through its Gender, Equality, and Inclusion Programme. This work has addressed the rights of women and girls, early and forced marriage, female genital mutilation, equality, and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The organization also developed democratic-renewal and human-rights activities intended to help legislators respond to threats to democratic institutions and violations of fundamental rights. PGA’s membership has included legislators serving in senior parliamentary and governmental roles, including prime ministers, cabinet ministers, and chairs of parliamentary committees. Some members later moved into presidential, vice-presidential, ministerial, or other senior international positions. This membership model gives PGA access to lawmakers who can influence treaty ratification, budgetary decisions, domestic legislation, and public debate. The organization’s main office is in New York City, while the PGA Foundation is seated in The Hague. The Hague location places the foundation near major international-law institutions, including the International Court of Justice, The Hague Academy of International Law, and the International Criminal Court. PGA is funded through a combination of public and philanthropic support. The reference material names SIDA, the Stewart R. Mott Foundation, the OAK Foundation, the European Commission, the United Nations Trust Facility Supporting Cooperation on Arms Regulation, and several national governments among its supporters. Its continuing identity is that of an international parliamentary advocacy network using legislators and legislative institutions to advance cooperative solutions to global problems.

• 2014

  Campaign on sexual-orientation and gender-identity discrimination launched

  [1]Parliamentarians for Global Actionen.wikipedia.org

  PGA initiated a parliamentary campaign addressing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

• 2012

  CAP-ICC session held in Rome

  [1]Parliamentarians for Global Actionen.wikipedia.org

  The seventh session was held in Rome, Italy.

• 2010

  CAP-ICC session held in Kampala

  [1]Parliamentarians for Global Actionen.wikipedia.org

  The sixth session took place in Kampala, Uganda.

• 2006

  Fourth CAP-ICC session held in Japan

  [1]Parliamentarians for Global Actionen.wikipedia.org

  The first session under the biennial format took place in Japan.

• 2004

  CAP-ICC convenes in New Zealand

  [1]Parliamentarians for Global Actionen.wikipedia.org

  The third annual session was held in New Zealand before the assembly shifted to a biennial format.

• 2003

  CAP-ICC convenes in New York

  [1]Parliamentarians for Global Actionen.wikipedia.org

  The second annual consultative assembly took place in New York.

• 2002

  First CAP-ICC consultative assembly

  [1]Parliamentarians for Global Actionen.wikipedia.org

  The Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the International Criminal Court and Rule of Law met in Ottawa.

• 1989

  Campaign for a permanent international criminal court begins

  [1]Parliamentarians for Global Actionen.wikipedia.org

  PGA began sustained parliamentary advocacy for the creation of a permanent international criminal court and later supported the Rome Statute process.

• 1978

  Organization established in Washington, D.C.

  [1]Parliamentarians for Global Actionen.wikipedia.org

  Parliamentarians from different countries founded PGA to coordinate legislative action on international problems, initially with a strong focus on nuclear disarmament.

A cross-party, international parliamentary network that converts legislative influence into coordinated action on global governance, human rights, peace, equality, and international justice.

• International justice and human rights

  International Law and Human Rights Programme

  A parliamentary advocacy and legislative-support program focused on international criminal justice, the International Criminal Court, the Rome Statute, human rights, and domestic implementation of international legal obligations. Its major convening has been CAP-ICC, which brings legislators together to promote accountability and the rule of law.

• Peace and arms regulation

  International Peace and Security Programme

  A program supporting parliamentary action on conflict prevention, nuclear and radiological security, small arms and light weapons, the Arms Trade Treaty, cybersecurity, autonomous weapons, and biological-weapons controls.

• Equality and human rights

  Gender, Equality, and Inclusion Programme

  A program promoting equality, human dignity, and non-discrimination. Its stated concerns include the rights of women and girls, early and forced marriage, female genital mutilation, and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

• Democracy and human rights

  Democratic Renewal and Human Rights Campaign

  An advocacy stream through which PGA mobilizes legislators around democratic governance, human rights protection, and parliamentary responses to threats against civic and political freedoms.

• 2014Parliamentary Campaign against Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

  Global

  A parliamentary campaign promoting legal equality and opposing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

  Source
• Campaign to Promote Nuclear and Radiological Security

  Global

  A campaign supporting parliamentary attention to nuclear disarmament, nuclear risk reduction, and radiological security.

  Source
• Global Cybersecurity Initiative

  Global

  An initiative listed among PGA’s campaigns addressing international security and the need for coordinated legislative responses to cyber threats.

  Source
• Small Arms and Light Weapons and Arms Trade Treaty Campaign

  Global

  A campaign encouraging stronger domestic regulation of small arms and light weapons, broader adherence to relevant regional instruments, and signature, ratification, and implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty.

  Outcome. PGA reported parliamentary contributions to advancing Arms Trade Treaty signature and ratification processes in multiple UN member states.

  Source
• Campaign for a Treaty Prohibiting Fully Autonomous Weapons

  Global

  A campaign advocating negotiations toward an international treaty restricting or prohibiting fully autonomous weapons.

  Source
• Biological Weapons Convention and Resolution 1540 Campaign

  Global

  A campaign supporting universal participation in the Biological Weapons Convention and implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540.

  Source

1. 1Parliamentarians for Global Actionen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Parliamentarians for Global Action official websitepgaction.org