Global meeting brings together parliamentarians to address growing synthetic drug threats
June 24, 2025 | Activities
As the rapid rise of synthetic drugs transforms global drug markets and exacerbates public health and security risks, legislators gathered for the first-ever Global Meeting of the International Network for Legislation on Drugs (INLOD), convened by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on June 24-25, 2025. Representing ParlAmericas, His Honour Arthur E. Holder, Speaker of...
A Growing Threat: Transnational Organized Crime in the Americas
June 20, 2025 | Activities
New routes. New crimes. New criminal alliances. Organized crime in the Americas and the Caribbean is evolving—rapidly expanding and adapting its operations in ways that overwhelm traditional institutional responses and exploit legal and institutional blindspots. In the face of this shifting landscape, national parliaments across the hemisphere are under pressure to update their legislative frameworks...
Youth-focused initiatives are turning parliaments into more inclusive institutions
June 17, 2025 | Activities
Engaging youth in the work of parliaments isn’t just an investment in the future - it’s a strategy for revitalizing democracy today. That theme guided the recent virtual meeting of the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Staff Network for Gender Equality on promoting inclusion and equality through parliamentary youth programming in the Americas and the Caribbean. Bringing together diverse perspectives...
Empowering young women leaders to address gender-based violence in the Caribbean
June 11, 2025 | Activities
Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a pervasive threat to women's rights and well-being across the Caribbean. Regional data shows that at least one in two women experience some form of violence in their lifetime, making GBV a persistent priority for legislative action and community advocacy. Responding to this reality, and reflecting the interest of its members to deepen...
Post-Election Seminar to Strengthen Parliamentary Practice in Belize
June 6, 2025 | Activities
As Belize embarks on a new legislative term following its March 2025 general elections, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and ParlAmericas, in collaboration with the National Assembly of Belize, delivered a comprehensive Post-Election Seminar from June 4 to 6, 2025, in Belmopan. The seminar created a dedicated space for new and returning Members of Parliament...
Nature at the Heart of Climate Action: A Regional Parliamentary Dialogue
June 5, 2025 | Activities
To mark World Environment Day, ParlAmericas convened a virtual dialogue on June 5, 2025, to explore the role of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) in addressing the interlinked challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development. Held under the theme “The Power of Nature to Advance Economic Growth and Sustainable Development,” the session brought together parliamentarians,...
Legislating for the Future: Parliaments Gather in Montevideo to Embrace Anticipatory Governance and Advance Democratic Renewal
May 29, 2025 | Activities
With global dynamics rapidly evolving and democratic institutions facing mounting pressures, the 21st ParlAmericas Plenary Assembly and 9th Gathering of the Open Parliament Network convened in Montevideo, Uruguay, from May 27 to 29, 2025, under the theme “Legislating for the Future: Harnessing Anticipatory Governance in Parliamentary Action.” Hosted by the Parliament of Oriental Republic of Uruguay,...
Exploring the environmental and social impacts of AI: A regional dialogue on inclusive and sustainable governance
April 25, 2025 | Activities
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly shaping the tools and strategies used to address climate and environmental challenges. To examine the potential and risks of these technologies, the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network on Climate Change and Sustainability (PNCCS) and the Parliamentary Staff Network on Climate Change and Sustainability co-organized the meeting "AI and the Environment: Impacts and Innovation," which virtually gathered parliamentarians, parliamentary...
International parliamentary delegation holds dialogues on the bicameral system in the Congress of the Republic of Peru
April 2, 2025 | Activities
In the framework of Peru’s recently approved transition back to a bicameral legislature—established through Law No. 31988 passed by the Congress of the Republic—a high-level international parliamentary delegation conducted an official visit to Lima on April 1-2. The agenda featured meetings with legislative authorities and a conference exploring comparative experiences with bicameral systems in Latin America. The...
ParlAmericas Delegation to Washington Advances Parliamentary Engagement on Multidimensional Security and Regional Cooperation
March 27, 2025 | Activities
Against a backdrop of evolving security threats, heightened geopolitical tensions, and increasing challenges to democratic governance across the region, the ParlAmericas Annual Parliamentary Delegation to Washington, convened from March 25 to 27, 2025, addressed the central role of parliaments in shaping comprehensive security strategies and promoting a multidimensional approach to regional security. Held under the theme “Multidimensional...