Parliament of the Turks and Caicos Islands focusses on Parliamentary strengthening during CPA Benchmarking exercise
Above: H.E Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam with the CPA Benchmarking team
The Parliament of the Turks and Caicos Islands met with a delegation from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) to undertake a CPA Democratic Benchmarks self-assessment exercise from 22 to 25 September 2025.
The CPA’s Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures provide a framework for excellence in Commonwealth parliamentary and legislative practice and, building on the 2006 and 2018 versions of the Benchmarks, were updated in 2025 to create a set of Benchmarks which meet high levels of good governance and robust parliamentary democracy. To date, 42 Commonwealth Legislatures have undertaken self-assessments against the CPA Benchmarks. The Parliament of the Turks and Caicos is now the 43rd to do so.
The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territories, and the Legislature was recently renamed as the Parliament of the Turks and Caicos Islands in December 2024 (previously the House of Assembly).
As part of their visit, the CPA delegation met with the Governor of Turks and Caicos Islands, H.E Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam; the Islands’ Premier Hon. Washington Misick; the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Edwin Astwood and the Chief Justice, Hon. Mabel Agyemang.
They also met with civil society groups, NGOs, senior civil servants, the Turks and Caicos Islands’ CPA Branch and National Youth Parliamentarians.
The Speaker of the Turks and Caicos Islands Parliament, Hon. Gordon Burton, MP said:
“I’m delighted to welcome the team from the CPA Secretariat to carry out a democratic Benchmarking exercise with the Turks and Caicos CPA Branch. This assessment is being carried out due to our recent elevation to a Parliament, and we want to know where we fall short and where we can bring up our standards further."
The CPA delegation consisted of Clive Barker, CPA Programmes Manager and Jacqui Sampson-Meiguel, Ombudsman of Trinidad and Tobago and former Clerk of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago.
Following the visit to Cockburn Town, an Outcome Report from the CPA Benchmarks self-assessment will be generated with Recommendations for democratic reform to strengthen parliamentary institutions in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Report will play an important role in developing the effectiveness of the Turks and Caicos Islands Parliament and help contribute towards its continued implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
CPA Benchmarks self-assessments are usually followed by Technical Assistance Programmes which could involve updating the Legislature’s Rules of Procedure, delivering training for Members and parliamentary staff, or developing corporate policies and multi-annual strategic plans.
To find out more about this work please email hq.sec@cpahq.org. The CPA’s Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures are also available to download from the CPA website.
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The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is an international community of 180 Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance. Founded in 1911, the CPA brings together Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and implement the enduring values of the Commonwealth. It offers a vast opportunity for Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff to collaborate on issues of mutual interest and to share good practice.
