Our monthly round-up of the latest news, events and activities with the CPA and in Parliaments and Legislatures around the Commonwealth

This edition includes:

• Anguilla House of Assembly agrees new Codes of Conduct for MPs 
• CPA Chairperson attends 57th Plenary Assembly of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) in Zimbabwe
• CPA Secretary-General meets with Antigua and Barbuda High Commissioner
• Western Cape delegation visits CPA Headquarters during UK Parliament visit
• CPA India Region Zone-II Conference held in Himachal Pradesh
• Speaker of the Victorian Legislative Assembly welcomes the Australian Federal Parliament Speaker
• Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago focuses on legislative scrutiny and parliamentary strengthening for new and returning MPs at CPA Post-Election Seminar
• British Columbia delegation visits CPA Headquarters during UK and Scottish Parliament visit
• Focus on increasing parliamentary skills for new MPs at CPA Post-Election Seminar in Belize
• Examining issues affecting modern Parliaments at 54th CPA British Islands and Mediterranean Regional Conference hosted by Senedd/Welsh Parliament
• CPA technical assistance for Tonga Parliament’s Code of Conduct
• Fiji Speaker leads parliamentary visit to Parliament of Victoria
• Commonwealth Parliamentarians highlight youth disability inclusion at UN Conference
• Falklands Islands Members visit Canadian Parliament
• CPA assist Fiji Parliament with gender audit
• UK Presiding Officers and Clerks meet in Cardiff
• Karnataka Speaker visits Parliament of Malaysia
• Kiribati Committee visit twinning partners in Australian Capital Territory
• New Zealand Parliamentary delegation visits Japan’s Parliament
• Commonwealth Trade Ministers and Business Leaders call for multilateralism and private sector partnerships
• Commonwealth Secretary-General shares her vision of renewed purpose and partnership 
• Turks and Caicos Islands hold CPA Post-Election Seminar
• Parliamentarians and experts unite in Finland to advance gender equality in politics

Focus on increasing parliamentary skills for new MPs at CPA Post-Election Seminar in Belize

The CPA held a Post Election Seminar (PES) in Belize from 4 to 6 June 2025 in partnership with ParlAmericas. The Seminar follows elections to the Belize National Assembly on 12 March 2025, which saw the governing People’s United Party win a second successive term in power.

The Speaker of the National Assembly of Belize and the Chairperson of the CPA Small Branches network, Hon. Valerie Woods said ahead of the seminar:

“Strengthening democracy begins with strengthening our institutions. As Speaker, I remain focused on ensuring Parliament is transparent, accessible and accountable to all Belizeans.”

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association can play a unique role in bringing together a wide range of experts from across the CPA’s membership, bringing a Pan-Commonwealth perspective to parliamentary strengthening. Facilitators came from Belize, Trinidad and Tobago, the Isle of Man and Canada.

Above: Participants and facilitators at the CPA Post-Election Seminar in Belize.

Read more about the outcomes of the CPA Post-Election Seminar in Belize by clicking here.

Examining issues affecting modern Parliaments at 54th CPA British Islands and Mediterranean Regional Conference hosted by Senedd/Welsh Parliament

Commonwealth Speakers, Members and parliamentary staff attended the annual Regional Conference, which was this year held in Cardiff, Wales from 17 to 20 June 2025.

The 54th CPA BIM Regional Conference focused on the theme of ‘Addressing the Needs of a Modern Parliament’ and delegates shared their own Legislatures’ experiences as they participated in the discussions.

Delegates from 13 Parliaments - plus observers from CPA Western Cape (South Africa) and CPA Québec (Canada) - heard from panellists on a range of topics including utilising digital technology and Artificial Intelligence in Parliaments, supporting Parliamentarians with their mental health, lessons from Youth Parliaments and effective political participation of persons with disabilities.

The launch of the CPA BIM Regional LGBT+ Network also took place alongside a workshop session highlighting the importance of LGBT+ voices in Parliament. The CPA Regional Conference programme also included the CPA BIM Region’s Annual General Meeting and the Commonwealth Women’s Parliamentarians (CWP) Regional Steering Committee.

The Llywydd (Presiding Officer) of the Welsh Parliament, Hon. Elin Jones, MS said that it was a great honour for the CPA Wales Branch to host the CPA BIM Regional Conference, which is a valuable opportunity to share insights and knowledge with Parliamentarians from across the Region.

Above: Delegates at 54th CPA British Islands and Mediterranean Regional Conference hosted by Senedd/Welsh Parliament.

Read more about the 54th CPA British Islands and Mediterranean Regional Conference by clicking here.

CPA Chairperson attends 57th Plenary Assembly of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) in Zimbabwe

The Parliament of Zimbabwe hosted the 57th Plenary Assembly Session of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) from 31 May to 7 June 2025. The meeting, running under the theme of ‘Harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Effective and Efficient Parliamentary Processes in the SADC Region: Experiences, Challenges and Opportunities’, focused on the modernisation of parliamentary processes through digital technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), in a bid to create democratic, inclusive and efficient governance systems in the region.

The Assembly was opened by the President of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, and was attended by the Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Hon. Adv. Jacob Mudenda. The Chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Hon. Dr Christopher Kalila, MP (Zambia) addressed delegates and underscored the importance of ensuring peace and unity in deepening democracy in the SADC region.

Also in attendance were the Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Rt Hon. Nelly B. K. Mutti, SC, MP; the Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, Hon. Thoko Didiza, MP; the Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles, Hon. Roger Mancienne and the Secretary-General of the SADC-PF, Ms Boemo Sekgoma.

The President of the SADC Parliamentary Forum is the Speaker of the National Assembly of Madagascar, Hon. Justin Tokely.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Parliamentary Forum is a regional interparliamentary body composed of Members of Parliament from SADC Member State National Parliaments, representing over 3,500 Parliamentarians in the SADC Region and aims to support and improve regional integration through parliamentary involvement and best practice in regional cooperation.

Above: The CPA Chairperson, Hon. Dr Christopher Kalila, MP (Zambia) addressed delegates at the 57th Plenary Assembly Session of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) in Zimbabwe.

Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago focuses on legislative scrutiny and parliamentary strengthening for new and returning MPs at CPA Post-Election Seminar

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) held a Post Election Seminar (PES) from 24 to 25 June 2025 for the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain. The Seminar, held in partnership with ParlAmericas, follows recent elections to the 41-seat Trinidad and Tobago House of Representatives, which took place in April 2025.

The CPA Post-Election Seminar was designed to give new and returning Parliamentarians from the House of Representatives and the Senate improved knowledge and skills to undertake their parliamentary duties, legislate, scrutinise, provide oversight and represent their communities effectively. The seminar sessions covered topics such as conduct and ethics, inclusion and participation, the legislative process and Member/Clerk relations.

The Pan-Commonwealth Post-Election Seminar brought expertise and knowledge from many Commonwealth jurisdictions including Ontario, Guyana, Barbados, Montserrat, Canada Federal and Trinidad and Tobago.

Above: Participants and facilitators at the CPA Post-Election Seminar in Trinidad and Tobago.

Read more about the outcomes of the CPA Post-Election Seminar in Trinidad and Tobago by clicking here.

Commonwealth Parliamentarians mark World Parliament Day 2025

To mark International Day of Parliamentarism/World Parliament Day 2025, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association highlighted the work of Parliaments across the world and held a webinar on ‘The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities & The Role of Parliamentarians’ through its Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) network.

The CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg said:

“On International Day of Parliamentarism/World Parliament Day 2025, the CPA is pleased to highlight the role of Parliaments in promoting democracy as well as promoting cooperation and dialogue. In acknowledgement of this year’s theme of ‘Achieving gender equality, action by action’, we also recognise the work of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) network in promoting gender equality in Parliaments as well as ensuring that Parliaments are gender sensitive institutions.”

The CPA is also launched a new CPA Podcast on democratic transition featuring H.E. Danny Faure, former President of the Seychelles and Professor Maya Tudor from the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford.

Read more about the CPA's activities on International Day of Parliamentarism/World Parliament Day 2025 by clicking here.

Anguilla House of Assembly agrees new Codes of Conduct for MPs 

The Anguilla House of Assembly passed the House of Assembly (Procedure) (Amendment) Rules 2025 establishing a Code of Conduct and Register for Members of the House on 24 June 2025.

The reform came about following the 2020 CPA Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures self-assessment and subsequent CPA Technical Assistance Programme. This important development demonstrates the value of Commonwealth collaboration centred on good governance and democratic values.

The project was also supported by the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Legislative Assembly.

This latest outcome builds on the enormous success that Anguilla has made around parliamentary strengthening which includes updating Standing Orders, establishing an Administration Committee and increasing public engagement and outreach. The CPA has worked with the Anguilla House of Assembly as part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2021.

Above: the Anguilla House of Assembly building.

Read more about the Anguilla House of Assembly passing their new Code of Conduct for MPs by clicking here.

CPA technical assistance for Tonga Parliament’s Code of Conduct

In June 2025, the Clerk of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Legislative Assembly, Tom Duncan visited the Tonga Parliament as part of a Technical Assistance Programme (TAP) activity on behalf of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).

The aim of the programme is to assist the Tonga Parliament with the development of a new Code of Conduct for Parliamentarians.

During the visit, Tom Duncan met with the Speaker of Tonga’s Legislative Assembly Lord Fakafanua, the Tonga Prime Minister Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke, the Minister of Internal Affairs Hon. Sinai Tu’itahi, Members of Parliament and parliamentary officials.

This programme is based on recommendations from a CPA Democratic Benchmarking exercise undertaken by the Tonga Parliament in November 2023.

Above: Members of Tonga Parliament meet with the Clerk of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly as part of the CPA Technical Assistance Programme.

Read more about the CPA's Technical Assistance Programme for the Parliament of Tonga by clicking here.

Western Cape delegation visits CPA Headquarters during UK Parliament visit

The Speaker of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, Hon. Daylin Mitchell MPP, and the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Khalid Sayed, MPP met with the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Stephen Twigg during a visit to the UK Parliament on 23 June 2025. The CPA Secretary-General briefed the Western Cape Members on the latest activities of the CPA and its work in the CPA Africa Region.

The Western Cape Speaker also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on behalf of the Parliament with the CPA to continue its parliamentary reforms in line with the CPA's Recommended Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures to strengthen the governance, independence and administration of the Parliament. The Parliament also undertook a gender self-assessment with the support of the CPA using the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Gender Sensitization Guidelines.

The Western Cape delegation also met with the Deputy Speaker of the UK House of Commons and UK MPs during the visit. The Speaker was accompanied by Achmat Patience, International Relations and Protocol Officer at the Western Cape Provincial Parliament.

Above: The CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg and the Speaker of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, Hon. Daylin Mitchell MPP sign an MoU to continue parliamentary reforms in line with the CPA's Democratic Benchmarks, watched by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Khalid Sayed, MPP and Achmat Patience, International Relations and Protocol Officer at the Western Cape Provincial Parliament.

CPA Secretary-General meets with Antigua and Barbuda High Commissioner 

The CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg met with the Antigua and Barbuda High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Her Excellency Dr Karen-Mae Hill on 24 June 2025 to discuss the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association's work with 19 Legislatures in the CPA Caribbean, Americas and the Atlantic Region including the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda.

These discussions also included Antigua and Barbuda’s hosting of the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2026.

Above: CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg with Antigua and Barbuda High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Her Excellency Dr Karen-Mae Hill.

British Columbia delegation visits CPA Headquarters during UK and Scottish Parliament visit 

The Speaker of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly, Hon. Raj Chouhan, MLA and the Assistant Deputy Speaker, Hon. Lorne Doerkson, MLA met with the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Stephen Twigg on 23 June 2025 during a parliamentary visit to the UK and Scottish Parliaments. The CPA Secretary-General briefed the British Columbia Members on the latest activities of the CPA and its work in the CPA Canada Region as well as plans for the upcoming 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Barbados in October 2025.

The Speaker was accompanied by the Clerk of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly, Ms Kate Ryan-Lloyd.

Above: CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg; the Assistant Deputy Speaker, Hon. Lorne Doerkson, MLA; the Clerk of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly, Ms Kate Ryan-Lloyd; and the Speaker of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly, Hon. Raj Chouhan, MLA.

Two Speakers - One Parliament

On 3 June 2025, the Speaker of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, Hon. Maree Edwards, MP welcomed the Speaker of the Australian Federal Parliament’s House of Representatives, Hon. Milton Dick, MP to the Victorian Parliament in Melbourne. During the visit, they discussed a range of parliamentary matters including civics education for students and engagement with the broader community.

Above: The Speaker of the Australian Federal Parliament’s House of Representatives, Hon. Milton Dick, MP with the Speaker of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, Hon. Maree Edwards, MP. Inage credit: Parliament of Victoria.

Falklands Islands Members visit Canadian Parliament

Members of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly, Hon. Peter Biggs, MLA and Hon. Mark Pollard, MLA visited the Parliament of Canada where they met with Canadian Parliamentarians led by the CPA Canada Federal Branch Chairperson, Hon. Alexandra Mendès, MP, Assistant Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons.

The discussions focused on issues of common interest, including democratic governance, fisheries and education.

Above: Members of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly with Canadian Parliamentarians.

Fiji Speaker leads parliamentary visit to Parliament of Victoria

The Speaker of the Parliament of Fiji, Hon. Filimone Jitoko led a parliamentary visit to the Parliament of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia from 17 to 20 June 2025.

The visit included meetings and briefings with Presiding Officers - Victoria Legislative Council President, Hon. Shaun Leane, MLC and Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker, Hon. Matt Fregon MP - as well as Members of Parliament and parliamentary officials connected with the twinning partnership between the Fiji and Victorian Parliaments.

The CPA programme links Legislatures from the CPA Australia and CPA Pacific Regions at a national and state level for targeted assistance, professional development and parliamentary strengthening. The partnership between Fiji and Victoria has seen a wide range of capacity building undertaken jointly over more than a decade, including on parliamentary procedure, committee processes, strategic and human resource planning, building management, broadcasting, Hansard services and community engagement.

Find out more about the CPA twinning partnership here.

Above: The Speaker and Members of the Parliament of Fiji are welcomed to the Parliament of Victoria in Melbourne.

Karnataka Speaker visits Parliament of Malaysia

The Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly in India, Hon. Abdul Khader Ali Fareed Ullah Thota, MLA visited the Parliament of Malaysia on 17 June 2025 where he was received by the Speaker of the Malaysia House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat), H.E. Tan Sri Dato' Dr Johari bin Abdul. The two Speakers discussed areas of mutual cooperation and parliamentary development.

Above: The Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly in India, Hon. Abdul Khader Ali Fareed Ullah Thota, MLA with the Speaker of the Malaysia House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat), H.E. Tan Sri Dato' Dr Johari bin Abdul.

Kiribati Committee visit twinning partners in Australian Capital Territory

The Speaker of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly, Hon. Mark Parton, MLA welcomed a parliamentary visit in Canberra, Australia from 23 to 24 June 2025 from Members of the Business Committee of the Kiribati Parliament (Maneaba ni Maungatabu).

The fact-finding visit included meetings and briefings with Presiding Officer, Members of Parliament and parliamentary officials including the Clerk, Tom Duncan.

The CPA programme links Legislatures from the CPA Australia and CPA Pacific Regions at a national and state level for targeted assistance, professional development and parliamentary strengthening. Find out more about the CPA twinning partnership here.

Above: Members of the Business Committee of the Kiribati Parliament (Maneaba ni Maungatabu) are welcomed by the Speaker and the Clerk of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly.

New Zealand Parliamentary delegation visits Japan’s Parliament

In June 2025, the Speaker of the House of Representatives at the New Zealand Parliament, Rt Hon. Gerry Brownlee visited Japan’s National Diet (Parliament) at the invitation of the Japanese Speaker, Mr Fukushiro Nukaga.

The New Zealand cross-party delegation of MPs included: Hon. Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, MP; Hon. Maureen Pugh, MP; Hon. Greg O’Connor, MP; and Hon. Teanau Tuiono, MP. While at the Diet, the delegation held talks with the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the House of Councillors. They also observed proceedings in the House of Representatives after being introduced to its Members by the Speaker.

Above: Members of New Zealand Parliament are pictured with their counterparts from the Japanese Parliament.

UK Presiding Officers and Clerks meet in Cardiff

The Presiding Officers and Clerks of the four nations of the United Kingdom met in Cardiff on 6 June 2025 for a quadrilateral meeting in Wales to discuss common parliamentary issues and areas of mutual interest.

The Llywydd (Presiding Officer) of the Welsh Parliament, Hon. Elin Jones, MS hosted the event attended by Speaker of the UK House of Commons, Rt Hon. Sir Lindsay Hoyle, MP; Northern Ireland Assembly Speaker, Hon. Edwin Poots, MLA; and Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, Rt Hon. Alison Johnstone, MSP. The Presiding Officers were joined by the Clerks of each Parliament for the meeting.

Above: The Presiding Officers and Clerks from the Parliaments of Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom at their meeting in Cardiff. Image credit: Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament.

CPA assist Fiji Parliament with gender audit

At the start of June 2025, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association assisted the Parliament of Fiji in conducting a gender sensitising audit of their parliamentary practices. The initiative is part of the commitment by the Fiji Parliament in their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the CPA Secretariat following a CPA Benchmark for Democratic Legislatures Assessment in 2023.

The CPA, through its Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) network, is an active advocate for women's representation in Parliament and seeking to ensure Parliaments are gender-sensitive institutions. The audit process assesses the inclusiveness and representation in Parliament as well as looking at how gender is including in parliamentary processes.

The two consultants conducting the gender audit on behalf of the CPA are the Deputy Clerk of the Parliament of Victoria, Anne Sargent and Amy Nethery, a Senior Lecturer from Deakin University in Melbourne. The consultants met with the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Hon. Iliesa Vanawalu, MP and Committee Member, Hon. Viam Pillay, MP as well as the Secretary-General to Parliament Mrs Jeanette Emberson and the Manager for Inter-Parliamentary Relations Mr Senitieli Wainiu.

Above: Interview with MPs at the Fiji Parliament during the CPA gender audit.

Parliamentarians and experts unite in Finland to advance gender equality in politics

More than 60 Parliamentarians and gender experts from Europe and Central Asia gathered on 3 to 4 June 2025 at the Finnish Parliament for a two-day workshop on gender-sensitive Parliaments, organised by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) with support from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and OSCE field operations. Entitled Realizing Gender Equality in and by Parliaments, the workshop highlighted the critical role of national Parliaments in driving progress toward gender equality.

“It is difficult to recognise inequality when you are on the side of the privileged. Equality work must be continuous to respond to societal changes. The goal of equality policy is a society in which every individual has the opportunity to grow to their full potential,” highlighted Tarja Filatov, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Finland in her opening remarks.

“A gender-sensitive Parliament does not only mean equal participation of women and men,” said OSCE PA President Pia Kauma (Finland). “It is much more than that. It reflects the diverse needs and experiences of all people in its work, structures, policies, and culture. That is why advocating for gender-sensitive parliaments does not mean favouring women. It simply benefits democracy, good governance, and peace and security.”

Discussions underlined the importance of institutional reforms, gender-sensitive legislation and oversight, addressing violence against women in politics, and engaging men as active partners in advancing equality. A highlight of the workshop was the endorsement of the Helsinki Pledges on Gender-sensitive Parliaments in the OSCE Region by all participants.

The Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) network was represented by Benite Dibateza as well as experts from the Inter-Parliamentary Union, International IDEA, UN Women Europe and Central Asia, OHCHR, European Institute for Gender Equality, Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Above: Participants at the OSCE Gender Sensitive Parliaments workshop at the Parliament of Finland.

Commonwealth Parliamentarians highlight youth disability inclusion at UN Conference

Parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth gathered in New York, USA for the 18th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP18). The Conference took place from 10 to 12 June 2025 at the United Nations Headquarters.

As part of the Conference, Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) network coordinator Avni Kondhia participated in a roundtable hosted by the Commonwealth Children and Youth Disability Network (CCYDN).

The roundtable side event called for a commitment to establish inclusive accessible spaces for children and youth with disabilities, and to promote their meaningful political participation on matters impacting them in decision making processes.

Above: Delegates at the 18th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP18) at the United Nations.

Read more about the CPwD network at the UN Conference of States Parties.

Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities explore systemic barriers to disability inclusion to mark World Parliament Day 2025

To celebrate the International Day of Parliamentarism/World Parliament Day 2025, the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) network hosted a webinar on ‘The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities & The Role of Parliamentarians’.

Ahead of the webinar, the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) Chairperson Hon. Laura Kanushu, MP from Uganda, shared her insights on the responsibility of Parliaments to uphold the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities following the Conference of States Parties held from 10-12 June 2025 at the United Nations.

The CPwD webinar was an opportunity to engage in discussions on disability advocacy and upholding the rights of those with disabilities. Panellists included disability-focused civil society organisations and Members of Parliament, covering the relationship between civil society and in upholding the CRPD, advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities and how the accessibility of parliamentary institutions upholds the Convention.

Read more about the CPwD webinar to mark International Day of Parliamentarism/World Parliament Day 2025 by clicking here.

CPA India Region Zone-II Conference held in Himachal Pradesh

The CPA India Regional Chairperson, Hon. Shri Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha at the Parliament of India opened the CPA India Region Zone-II Conference in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, which took place from 30 June to 1 July 2025.

Delegates were welcomed by the Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Shri Kuldeep Singh Pathania, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Sukhu Sukhvinder and other dignitaries.

The CPA India Regional Chairperson highlighted the democratic progress made in Himachal Pradesh and that the first Conference of Presiding Officers in India was held in the state in 1921. He also spoke about the work of the Parliament of India in adopting new technologies to ensure that its legislative functions are more efficient and productive through the use of Artificial Intelligence tools, mobile apps and digital attendance. These technologies would be extended to the State Legislatures across India.

Above: The CPA India Regional Chairperson, Hon. Shri Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha opens the CPA India Region Zone-II Conference in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.

Turks and Caicos Islands hold CPA Post-Election Seminar

The Turks and Caicos Islands House of Assembly has held a CPA Post-Election Seminar for new and returning MPs from 9 to 11 June 2025.

The three-day seminar was held at the Hon. N. J. S. Francis Building in Grand Turk and the programme follows the election held on 7 February 2025. The seminar was organised by the CPA Turks and Caicos Islands Branch in partnership with the CPA UK Branch. Turks and Caicos is a UK Overseas Territory.

The seminar was chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the Turks and Caicos Islands House of Assembly, Hon. Jameka L. Williams who outlined the aims of strengthening good governance by equipping Parliamentarians with the tools, knowledge and practices needed to serve effectively.

The opening also heard from the TCI Speaker, Hon. Gordon Burton; the Acting Premier, Hon. Jamell Robinson; and Hon. Douglas Ross, MSP (Scottish Parliament), one of the external experts attending from Anguilla, Scotland and Guernsey.

Above: Member of the Turks and Caicos House of Assembly with external facilitators for the CPA Post-Election Seminar with the CPA UK Branch.

Commonwealth Trade Ministers and Business Leaders call for multilateralism and private sector partnerships 

Trade Ministers from across the Commonwealth concluded two days of high-level deliberations in Windhoek, Namibia at the 2025 Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting (CTMM), with affirmation of their shared commitment to deepen intra-Commonwealth trade, unlock sustainable investment and defend the integrity of the multilateral trading system.

Held alongside the inaugural Commonwealth Business Summit (CBS), the two landmark gatherings marked a significant step in connecting policymakers with business leaders and development partners to chart a unified economic future.

The Trade Ministers Meeting, the first ever held in the African Region, concluded with an agreement on a joint Commonwealth Statement on the Multilateral Trading System to the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation, reinforcing the group’s united position on fair, inclusive and rules-based global trade.

Against the backdrop of rising protectionism, climate instability and a fragmented global economy, Ministers focused on strategies to harness the Commonwealth’s 21% trade advantage (rooted in shared language, legal systems and trust) to realise the ambition of growing intra-Commonwealth trade to US$2 trillion by 2030.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon. Shirley Botchwey said:

"Together, we have explored new pathways for deepening intra-Commonwealth trade, enhancing investment, leveraging digital trade, accelerating the sustainable energy transition and building resilient economies. The outcomes of the Windhoek Trade Ministers’ Meeting represent another shining example of the enduring value of Commonwealth collaboration."

Above: The Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon. Shirley Botchwey addresses the 2025 Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting (CTMM).

Commonwealth Secretary-General shares her vision of renewed purpose and partnership 

Dignitaries from across the Commonwealth and beyond gathered on 5 June 2025 to welcome the seventh Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Botchwey, at a reception at Lancaster House, sponsored by the GUBA Foundation.

Among the prominent guests were the UK Foreign Secretary, Rt Hon. David Lammy, MP as well as other Government ministers and senior officials from across the Commonwealth including the CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg, Commonwealth-accredited organisations, High Commissioners and guests.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General thanked Commonwealth governments for their robust support throughout her tenure, and she also acknowledged the scale of the challenges confronting the world and the importance of continued Commonwealth solidarity.

She is the first African woman, and the second person from the African continent, to lead the association of 56 countries, which make up a third of the world’s population.

Above: The Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon. Shirley Botchwey with the UK Foreign Secretary, Rt Hon. David Lammy, MP arrive at the Lancaster House reception.

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