OSCE PA Annual Session in The Hague
In 2026, the Senate and House of Representatives will host the Annual Session of the Parliamentary Assembly (PA) of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which will take place from 4 to 8 July in The Hague.
During this five-day meeting at the World Forum, the States General will welcome more than 700 delegates from 57 countries. They will consult on key issues related to security, such as economic cooperation, sustainability and human rights. This year’s edition will be the 33rd Annual Session of the OSCE PA.
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.
FAQ
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 .