Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) is a network currently present in 125 elected Parliaments of all regions of the world and its Annual Forum, the most important meeting of the organization, will focus this year on key issues for the effective day-to-day action of lawmakers, worldwide: Strengthening Democratic Institutions, Accountability and the Rule of Law. 

The Forum will also be the fifth occasion on which PGA organizes the Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Rule of Law. The Consultative Assembly is the only global gathering of legislators focused on international justice, the effective functioning of which is a precondition for the realization of the vision of PGA, namely, “to contribute to the creation of a Rules-Based International Order for a more equitable, safe and democratic world”. The V session of the Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the ICC represents a unique opportunity to advance the strategic goals of (a) promoting the universality of the Rome Statute of the ICC, (b) promoting implementing legislation and giving effect to the complementarity principle, as enshrined in the Rome Statute (c) promoting adequate political support for the fight against impunity, (d) enhancing public perception and awareness on the ICC and the rule of law (e.g. evaluation of the impact of the ICC on the prevention of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes), and (e) sharing experiences on the need to protect the integrity of the ICC (e.g. by enhancing transatlantic and transpacific dialogue with US Congressional lawmakers).

The Dominican Republic, a Latin American and ACP (African-Caribbean-Pacific) country, is one of the 106 States Parties to the Rome Statute.  While in 1496 Santo Domingo was founded as the first capital of the New World, in 2008,  La Española or ‘Kisqueya’ in Taino Language will become, we hope, the capital where more than 100 parliamentarians from all regions of the world will renew their commitment to the new system of international justice, based on the equality of all individuals and states before law, the supremacy of peace and justice over force, and in the principle of complementarity, where nations have the primary responsibility to bring accountability for the commission of heinous crimes, to strengthen democracy and to promote the rule of law.  We look forward to seeing you in Santo Domingo on 30 and 31 October 2008.