OSCE PA Annual Session in The Hague
In 2026, the Senate and House of Representatives organised the Annual Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA). The meeting took place from 4 to 8 July in The Hague.
During the five-day meeting at the World Forum, the States General welcomed more than 700 delegates from 57 countries. The parliamentarians discussed key issues relating to security, such as economic collaboration, the environment, and human rights. This was the 33rd Annual Session of the OSCE PA.
Programme
How can international law and shared principles provide the foundations for shaping security and cooperation in an age of geopolitical tensions? This was the key question during the Annual Session. You can watch back all the plenary sessions and general committee meetings.
| Time | Meeting |
|---|---|
| 15:00 – 18:00 |
Opening Plenary Session Opening Session
|
| Time | Meeting |
|---|---|
| 09:00 – 10:30 | General Committee on Political Affairs and Security |
| 09:00 – 10:30 | General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment |
| 11:00 – 12:30 | General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions |
| Time | Meeting |
|---|---|
| 09:00 – 10:30 | General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions |
| 09:00 – 10:30 | General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment |
| 11:00 – 12:30 | General Committee on Political Affairs and Security (plenary) Address by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Tom Berendsen |
| 14:30 – 16:00 | General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions |
| 14:30 – 16:00 | General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment |
| 16:30 – 18:00 | General Committee on Political Affairs and Security |
| Time | Meeting |
|---|---|
| 09:00 – 11:00 | General Committee on Political Affairs and Security |
| 09:00 – 11:00 | General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment |
| 11:30 – 13:30 | General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions |
| 15:00 – 18:00 |
Plenary Session General Debate on “International Law and Shared Principles: Foundations for Security
|
| Time | Meeting |
|---|---|
| 09:00 – 12:00 |
Plenary Session Address by the Secretary General of the OSCE, Ambassador Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu |
| 12:00 | Adjournment of the 33rd Annual Session of the OSCE PA |
Dutch delegation at the OSCE PA
The Dutch delegation at the Annual Session consisted of Senate Members Farah Karimi (PRO, the leader of the delegation), Mary Fiers (PRO), Boris Dittrich (D66), Rian Vogels (VVD), Madeleine van Toorenburg (CDA), and Alexander van Hattem (PVV), and House of Representative Members Mpanzu Bamenga (D66), Nicole Maes (VVD), Elles van Ark (CDA), and Fatihya Abdi (PRO).
The Hague Declaration
The 33rd Annual Session of the Parliamentary Assembly ended with the adoption of The Hague Declaration. The declaration underlines the importance of international law and shared principles. These include the respecting of sovereign equality, the rejection of the threat or use of violence, the inviolability of borders, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Resolutions
The parliamentarians voted on various resolutions in The Hague. The resolutions related to such matters as the war in Ukraine and European security, arms control and hybrid threats, climate and raw materials, and the impact of technology, including AI and cybersecurity.
Release of Ukrainian OSCE officers
There were also calls for the immediate release of three Ukrainian OSCE officials. They were captured by Russia in 2022 and subsequently sentenced to lengthy terms of imprisonment. As a special reporter on behalf of the OSCE PA, Boris Dittrich is actively working to secure their release. He organised a side event at which the partner of one of the prisoners spoke. “Remaining silent has never resulted in the release of a political prisoner,” he said. “That is why we will continue to mention their names. Meetings such as this one in The Hague really do matter.”
Reporter on human rights
Mpanzu Bamenga was elected as a special reporter for the Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions. “The human dimension of the OSCE is so essential,” emphasised Bamenga, who is a Member of the House of Representatives. “Human rights are not a side issue or luxury. They are the basis for peaceful, strong, and democratic societies.”
Annual Session officially opens
“International law and strong institutions are indispensable pillars of peace and security. Parliamentarians from all over the world come together at the OSCE PA in The Hague to find solutions to challenges that transcend national borders”, said President of the House of Representatives Thom van Campen. He delivered a speech during the official opening on Saturday 4 July, as did President of the Senate Mei Li Vos. “Upholding international law is our best chance of ensuring peace. Conflicts can be prevented by creating the circumstances for a free and democratic debate,” she said her speech.
Prime Minister Rob Jetten
Prime Minister Rob Jetten also addressed the parliamentarians from more than fifty countries. He reflected on the role of the OSCE. According to Jetten, it becomes more important as international unrest increases, and with it the need for diplomatic solutions.
The work of the Assembly
Farah Karimi, head of the Dutch delegation to the OSCE PA, discussed the work of the Assembly in her speech. “This is where parliamentary diplomacy has a unique role. Even when governments disagree, parliamentarians can continue to engage. Through dialogue, election observation, committee work and cooperation across political divides, we preserve channels of communication and build trust.”
Video address by Volodymyr Zelensky
The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, delivered a video address. Ignazio Cassis, OSCE Chairperson for 2026 and Switzerland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Pere Joan Pons Sampietro, the current Chairperson of the OSCE PA, also spoke during the opening ceremony.
Protecting shared values
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tom Berendsen, addressed the members of the Parliamentary Assembly on Monday 6 July. Among other things, he referred to the crucial role played by Members of Parliament in protecting shared values. For example, by making laws and holding governments to account for their OSCE commitments.
International law institutions
As well as political leaders, representatives from international law institutions spoke at the meeting. This includes Tomoko Akane, the President of the International Criminal Court, and Boštjan Škrlec, Eurojust Vice-President, who opened the plenary debate on Tuesday 7 July. The main theme of the debate was the role of international law.
17 March: signing of agreement in The Hague
On Tuesday 17 March, the Presidents of the Senate and House and OSCE PA President Pere Joan Pons Sampietro signed the agreement marking the official start of the organisation process for the annual meeting. “We look forward to hosting fellow MPs from Europe, Central Asia and North America in The Hague, the international city of peace and justice”, said Thom van Campen, President of the House of Representatives.
Aftermovie Annual Session OSCE PA 2026
20260709 OSCE PA Annual Session Aftermovie
- WEBM-video (WEBM | 58.63 MB)
- Audio description (MP3 | 2.54 MB)
- Subtitle (SRT | 2.11 KB)
Frequently Asked Questions
The OSCE is the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Its 57 member states work together to improve security, as security challenges often affect many different countries. The OSCE countries consult with each other and make agreements in order to prevent conflict, protect human rights and reduce tensions. The organisation was founded during the Cold War.
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) comprises 57 countries. All European countries are members, as are various countries in North America and Central Asia that play a role in Europe’s security.
The OSCE is the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) brings together MPs from countries in Europe, North America and Central Asia. The Assembly consists of 323 MPs from the 57 participating countries. The Holy See, also known as Vatican City, is a member of the OSCE but does not have a parliament. It is represented in the Assembly by a single delegate, who is a guest of honour.
Members of the Parliamentary Assembly share experiences and make recommendations to their governments. They also monitor countries’ compliance with agreements made by the OSCE, for example with regard to elections, human rights, press freedom, migration and conflicts between countries. MPs also monitor elections in other countries to evaluate their fairness. For more about this, see Role and tasks of the OSCE PA.
The Parliamentary Assembly meets three times a year. Each year, a different national parliament is responsible for organising the Annual Meeting, which is always held in the summer. The States General has offered to host the 2026 Annual Session in the Netherlands. It will take place from 4 to 8 July in The Hague, which is not just home to the Netherlands’ parliament and government, but which is also known as the international city of peace and justice. For more about this, see Meetings of the OSCE PA .