ParlAmericas Podcast

Welcome to the ParlAmericas Podcast. In this episode, we explore how parliaments can support the sustainable development of the blue economy through legislative frameworks that balance economic growth, environmental stewardship, and climate resilience. You will hear from the Honourable Reginald Farley, President of the Senate of Barbados, who reflects on Barbados’ efforts to modernize its fisheries and marine governance legislation. His participation also highlights the importance of regional cooperation and international standards in advancing ocean governance and building resilient, sustainable economies across the Caribbean. This episode was recorded during the 22nd ParlAmericas Plenary Assembly and 10th Gathering of the Open Parliament Network, titled Parliamentary Leadership for Shared Prosperity: Advancing Trade, Innovation, and Security in a Changing World, held in Ottawa, Canada, from May 19 to 22, 2026.

This episode was recorded on June 20, 2025, during the virtual Meeting titled “The Evolving Landscape of Transnational Organized Crime”. This was the first of a series of events prepared by ParlAmericas for parliamentarians in the lead up to the Tenth Summit of the Americas. Listen to Tonni Brodber, Head of the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), talk about the gendered dimensions of violence linked to criminal organizations. Ms. Brodber outlines many crucial points about security in the Americas and Caribbean, presenting data and new trends on violence in the hemisphere. She also emphasizes the importance of engaging parliaments and civil society to increase trust and to find inclusive and community-based solutions.

Este episodio fue grabado durante la reunión virtual “La IA y el medioambiente: impactos e innovación”, organizada por ParlAmericas, la Red Parlamentaria de Cambio Climático y Sostenibilidad de ParlAmericas (RPCCS) y su Red de Funcionarias y Funcionarios, el 25 de abril de 2025. En esta presentación, la Dra. Lina Zuluaga, vicepresidenta de la Red de Mujeres de las Américas de la Unión Internacional de Telecomunicaciones (UIT) y presidenta del Grupo Regional del SG5 del UIT‑T para América Latina, analiza los impactos ambientales del ecosistema digital, incluyendo la contribución del sector tecnológico a las emisiones globales y el crecimiento acelerado de los residuos electrónicos, y cómo la regulación puede contribuir a garantizar la sostenibilidad en el uso de la inteligencia artificial. La Dra. Zuluaga presenta oportunidades de mitigación a través de la IA y subraya el papel clave que juegan los parlamentos para impulsar eficiencia energética, ordenamiento de datos públicos, minería legal supervisada y planificación de infraestructura con criterios sostenibles. Asimismo, propone recomendaciones concretas como la adopción de estándares internacionales, el uso de metodologías como la privacidad diferencial, y la interoperabilidad de los sistemas para garantizar transparencia, equidad e innovación inclusiva.

This episode was recorded during the virtual meeting “AI and the Environment: Impacts and Innovation,” hosted by the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network on Climate Change and Sustainability (PNCCS) and its staff network. Dr. Letetia Mary Addison, Adjunct Lecturer at The University of the West Indies and winner of the 2024 Global AI Innovation Challenge, presents her innovative project, AI4SIDS, an AI-powered platform designed to enhance preparedness and strengthen climate resilience in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Dr. Addison reflects on her experience at COP29, where AI4SIDS stood out among 114 proposals from 62 countries, underscoring the transformative potential of AI in addressing climate challenges. She highlights the importance of localizing AI projects to meet regional needs and contexts, emphasizes promoting open-source models to lower financial barriers for smaller enterprises, and outlines key strategies for the sustainable and ethical use of AI within parliaments.

This episode was recorded on May 28, 2025 during the 21st ParlAmericas Plenary Assembly & 9th Gathering of the Open Parliament Network, titled “Legislating for the Future: Harnessing Anticipatory Governance in Parliamentary Action.” This meeting was organized by ParlAmericas and the Parliament of Uruguay. Listen to Sherna Benjamin, Vice-President of the Committee of Experts of the Follow-up Mechanism to the Belém do Pará Convention,share valuable information on the Inter-American Model Law to Prevent, Punish, and Eradicate Gender-Based Digital Violence Against Women. This regional effort responds to the dangers posed by the digital era on women and girls, as well as reflects the perspectives of diverse stakeholders. Sherna also offers recommendations on concrete actions that parliamentarians can take to foster a safer and more inclusive digital environment.

This episode was recorded on May 28, 2025 during the 21st ParlAmericas Plenary Assembly & 9th Gathering of the Open Parliament Network, titled “Legislating for the Future: Harnessing Anticipatory Governance in Parliamentary Action,” co-organized by ParlAmericas and the Parliament of Uruguay. In this episode, you’ll hear from Samantha Khan, Specialist in Social Innovation, Impact, and Cultural Diplomacy, as she explores how inclusive participation can strengthen parliamentary climate action and how the decisions made today by parliamentarians will shape our future. In her remarks she stresses the existing opportunity to collectively build a future that is sustainable and equitable by meaningfully listening to people and including them in decision-making processes. Ms. Khan also reflects on the importance of parliaments in advancing these sustainable and regenerative policies.