The Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) have met ahead of the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) in Barbados on 7 October 2025 chaired by the Chairperson of the Executive Committee, Hon. Dr Christopher Kalila, MP (Zambia).

CPA Executive Committee Members discussed key governance issues and planning for the year ahead including updates to the CPA’s legal status, financial reporting and future activities.

The CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg and other staff from the CPA Headquarters also attended the meetings.

The CPA Executive Committee represents the nine regions of the CPA - Africa; Asia; Australia; British Islands and Mediterranean; Canada; Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic; India; Pacific; South East Asia.

The Chairperson of the Executive Committee, Hon. Dr Christopher Kalila, MP (Zambia) said:

“The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) provides a unique platform for inter-parliamentary dialogue to take place. The CPA’s membership comprises the national, state, provincial and territorial Parliaments of the Commonwealth. The diverse nature of the membership provides the CPA with a unique position within the parliamentary community to offer a comprehensive perspective on how to strengthen parliamentary democracy across the Commonwealth and to discuss new and innovative approaches on how to do so.

The 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference is the most prominent event in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s calendar, as it offers a unique opportunity for the representatives of the Association’s almost 180 Member Parliaments and Legislatures to network with colleagues from other jurisdictions and discuss common issues of concern which affect Commonwealth Parliaments.”

Ahead of the official opening of the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, the Members of the CPA Executive Committee were received by the President of Barbados, Her Excellency Dame Sandra Mason, GCMG, SC, who is also the Vice-Patron of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) at a reception at State House.

One of the largest gatherings of Commonwealth Parliamentarians, the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference will bring together over 500 Parliamentarians, parliamentary staff and decision makers from across the Commonwealth for this unique conference and networking opportunity.

During the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, there will also be a number of additional conferences and meetings including: 41st CPA Small Branches Conference; 9th Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Conference; meetings of the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) network; the 2025 CPA General Assembly and meetings of the CPA Executive Committee; and the 59th Society of Clerks at the Table (SOCATT) meetings.

During the conference, a number of elections will also take place for the Chairpersons of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) and the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) network, the CPA Treasurer and the CPA Vice-Chairperson.

The 3rd Lifaka Lecture will also take place as well as the presentations for the 2025 Commonwealth Parliamentarian of the Year Awards.

-ENDS-

Further information about the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) can be found at the 68th CPC Hub.

On social media follow the hashtag #68CPC

Images of the 68th CPC are also available at the CPA's Flickr page. 

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) organises its annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) to address global political issues and developments in the parliamentary system through conference workshops and sessions for leading Parliamentarians representing Parliaments and Legislatures throughout the Commonwealth.

The CPA is an international community of almost 180 Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance.

For media enquiries, please contact communications@cpahq.org.