President of the Riigikogu attends European Conference of Presidents of Parliament in Athens

NordenBladet —

Today and tomorrow, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas attends the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament that brings Speakers and Presidents of the member states of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) together in Athens.

The Presidents of Parliaments will exchange experience and ideas on addressing the public health crisis caused by COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges of climate change and the common future of all European citizens.

The President of the Riigikogu also plans to have several bilateral meetings with his counterparts in Athens.

After distancing due to the coronavirus crisis, the speakers of the parliaments of 47 member states have the possibility to come together and devote the first panel of the Conference to sharing experience and practices for the way forward in the continuing health crisis.

The second theme will focus on environmental problems. The main aim of global policy now and in the future is to respond to the challenge caused by climate change. Here, the parliaments have an important role in identifying national priorities, providing guidance and monitoring, and ensuring the allocation of adequate resources. They must also contribute to promoting dialogue between the various parties involved at local, national, regional and international level.

The Conference will conclude with discussions on the common future of all European citizens, focusing on giving a voice to the young people, innovation and development of technologies of the future, at the same time ensuring that nobody is left behind in the democracy of the future.

Source: Parliament of Estonia