New Zealand MP re-elected as PGA President

Labour’s Associate Spokesperson for Disarmament and Arms Control Ross Robertson has been re-elected unopposed for a further term as President of Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA).

Ross Robertson’s re-election took place this week in Bogota, Colombia. PGA is the largest project-based MP organisation in the world, with over 1000 individual legislators from more than 130 countries.

Its programmes include International Law and Human Rights, Peace and Democracy, and Gender, Equality and Population.

“It is a privilege and honour to be re-elected,” said Ross Robertson.

“My focus for the future will be to promote effective and comprehensive legislation which implements the Rome Statue of the International Criminal Court, the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) in domestic systems, and furthering the progress the organisation has made tackling HIV/AIDS and corruption,” he said.

“It is estimated that 747,000 people die each year from firearm-related violence.  We owe it to them and their families to make sure we have a robust ATT in place.

Mr Robertson said that in a private audience with Colombian President HE Juan Manuel Santos, the issue of peace, democracy and the rule of law is paramount.

“The President is passionate about these issues, and about the peace process currently taking place in his country.  PGA is pleased to be able to support these efforts, and made an official presentation of the Declaration of the 35th Annual Parliamentary Forum to the Ambassador of Norway, as guarantors of the peace process in Colombia.

“Parliamentarians from all countries, whether state or non-state parties, can contribute to the success of building a more peaceful and harmonious world, and we will do that,” he said.

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