PORTO, 29 June 2025 – The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s 32nd Annual Session opened today in Porto, Portugal, with speeches welcoming this 50th anniversary year of the OSCE as a time to activate the same bold and strategic vision that led to the adoption of the Helsinki Final Act in 1975 in order to find solutions to ongoing challenges in security, economics and environment, and human rights.
José Pedro Aguiar-Branco addresses the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Porto, 29 June 2025Speaking at the opening session, President of the Portuguese Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Portuguese Parliament José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, OSCE PA President Pia Kauma (Finland), United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, and Head of the OSCE PA’s Portuguese Delegation Paula Cardoso recalled the enduring importance of dialogue and co-operation, and of reaffirming the OSCE’s shared principles.
Reflecting on the half-century since the Helsinki Final Act was signed, President Rebelo de Sousa noted that despite some setbacks, as a whole, the experience has been very positive. “We must keep this hope in the middle of so many wars – wars in Europe, wars in the Middle East, wars in Africa,” Rebelo de Sousa said. “But thinking of where the OSCE has played a major role, it is worthwhile, and so we go on fighting for peace, democracy and security.”
President of the Portuguese Parliament José Pedro Aguiar-Branco recalled the OSCE’s five-decade legacy, highlighting its successes in managing post-Cold War upheavals by building security through dialogue and consensus. Portugal, he stressed, has always been supportive of the OSCE’s mission. He highlighted, however, that the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine has undermined many of the OSCE’s core values. “We need to find the wisdom to turn challenges into opportunities,” he said.
Pia Kauma delivers opening remarks at the Porto Annual Session, 29 June 2025President Kauma told the Assembly that Ukraine must remain top of the PA’s agenda, urging parliamentarians to not only maintain pressure to bring an end to the fighting but also to prepare for the day after the fighting has stopped. Recalling the example of the Helsinki Final Act as an inspiration, she stressed that despite many of the signatories being adversaries, “they still aligned for the greater sake of security of their people, and with the perspective that security was in their interest.”
In a video address, Secretary General Guterres noted that the OSCE PA’s work in protecting human rights, strengthening democracy, and promoting sustainable development is essential, and pledged the UN’s continued co-operation and support.
“You gather as our world faces great and grave challenges – from raging conflicts, to rising inequalities, to the out-of-control climate crisis,” Guterres said. “But you are standing up for something different. By encouraging dialogue between parliaments, you have helped strengthen democracy, advance co-operation, and promote comprehensive security.”
Paula Cardoso speaks at the opening plenary in Porto, 29 June 2025Paula Cardoso highlighted the significance of the 32nd Annual Session in the context of the Helsinki Final Act’s 50th anniversary, but regretted that the Russian Federation’s full-scale war against Ukraine casts a shadow over this commemoration. “The Final Act's vision of peace, democracy and prosperity is not a nostalgic dream, but a practical project,” she said. “Let’s use it to build a resilient and inclusive OSCE region - one that ensures that no citizen and no nation is left behind.”
Also in the plenary session today, OSCE parliamentarians considered three supplementary items: “50th Anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act: Global Challenges for Peace and Security in the OSCE Region,” principally sponsored by Mykyta Poturaiev (Ukraine), “The Helsinki Process Fifty Years On,” principally sponsored by Pia Kauma (Finland), and “Strengthening a Positive Agenda for Co-operation in the Western Balkans, principally sponsored by Kyriakos Hadjiyianni (Cyprus). The leaders of recent election observation missions also reported to the Assembly.
Taking place in Porto, from 29 June to 3 July, the Annual Session is being held under the general theme “Commemorating 50 Years of the Helsinki Final Act: Responding to a New Reality in the OSCE.” More than 200 parliamentarians from North America, Europe and Central Asia are taking part in the event.
Earlier today, the Assembly’s Standing Committee met and heard reports from President Kauma, OSCE PA Secretary General Roberto Montella, and Treasurer Johan Büser (Sweden), who presented the present financial situation and annual contributions. The Standing Committee approved the budget for the 2025-2026 Financial Year. Delegates also allocated 21 supplementary items for debate in the general committees and plenary sessions.
On the sidelines of the Annual Session, ad hoc committees will meet for discussions on migration issues, counter-terrorism and parliamentary support for Ukraine.
The Annual Session is streaming on the OSCE PA’s YouTube and Facebook channels, and photos of the meeting can be found on Flickr. Please visit the Annual Session’s web page for more information.
