Hon Agho Oliver, elected into the Executive Committee of Parliamentarians for Global Action

Hon. Agho Oliver pose for picture after elections with the International Global President and Secretary General of PGA, Rt Hon. Syed Naveed Osmar of Pakistan and Ms Monica Adame of the United States of America

This exciting news comes after a highly contested election that took place on Wednesday October 30, 2024, at the Pakistani Institute for Parliamentary Services, where Hon. Agho Oliver of Cameroon, Hon. Sahar Albazar from Egypt, Hon. Amanza Walton-Desir from Guyana, Hon Dr. Mirzia Ikhtiar Baig from Pakistan, Hon. Fox Odoi-Oywelowo from Uganda , Hon Dr. Angela Brown-Burke from Jamaica, Hon. Bernard Georges from Seychelles and Hon Dr. GALYNA MYKHAILIUK from Ukrain became members of the international executive committee of  PGA.

The election which came on the sidelines of the 45th annual forum and the 13th consultative general assembly of Parliamentarians on the International Criminal Court and the Rule of Law, hosted this year by the National Assembly of Pakistan, also saw the Cameroonian MP, Agho Oliver, taking active part in a panel discussion on future opportunities for international criminal justice and a round table discussion on the abolition of the death penalty. 

It should be recalled that the Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians on the International Criminal Court (CAP-ICC), is the only high-level global gathering of political representatives from all regions, of the world focusing on developing strategies to strengthen international justice, prevent atrocities and ensure accountability for sustainable peace. Over the course of two days, parliamentarians from around the world engaged in open dialogue with their parliamentary peers, experts, academics, government officials, representatives of the International Criminal Court and international organizations advancing domestic and international criminal justice, promoting the rule of law and human rights. The meeting also aimed at furthering the progress of the universal ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is the only permanent international court mandated to investigate and prosecute the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole. 

The parliamentarians thus had an opportunity to exchange on their experiences and best practices relating to the ratification and effective implementation of the Rome Statute, as well as associated obstacles and hurdles encountered in the process. 

Hon Agho Oliver being congratulated by the International Executive Committee Chair

Given that the challenges posed to multilateralism and the multiplication of conflicts is forcing all stakeholders to increase efforts against impunity to fulfill the commitment of “never again”, the urgency for the universal ratification and strengthening of the ICC are crucial to achieving this goal, particularly at a time when the Court faces a surge in threats to its independence, affecting its mandate as well as its very existence. The just ended 13th CAP-ICC that saw the election of Cameroonian into its international executive committee  concentrated on addressing the pivotal role that Parliamentarians can play in this endeavor by exploring the ways to support the ICC and its Integrity through using parliamentarians’ legislative and political prerogatives.

Invited to attend the high-level meeting on account of his esteemed expertise and leadership in promoting accountability, Hon. Agho Oliver is expected to work earnestly in the promotion of the goals of the Parliamentarians for Global Action, PGA.

PGA is a global network of parliamentarians from over 150 countries with over 1250 members who work together to promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. PGA was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in New York. It has as a mission the 

Promotion of democracy and human rights, the strengthening of parliamentary democracy and the rule of law, the 

,supporting of sustainable development and global justice and the fostering of international cooperation and diplomacy.

Its key areas of focus are human rights and the rule of law, democracy and governance, sustainable development and climate change, peace and security, and gender equality and women's empowerment. To achieve its mission, PGA works closely with the United Nations, other international organizations, and civil society organizations to achieve its goals.