68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference officially opens in Barbados

Commonwealth Parliamentarians commit to promoting parliamentary democracy at 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Barbados

The Vice-Patron of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Her Excellency Dame Sandra Mason, GCMG, SC, the President of Barbados, has urged Commonwealth Parliamentarians to work together to uphold the values of the Commonwealth as she opened the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (68th CPC) for over 500 delegates in Bridgetown, Barbados.

The CPA Vice-Patron, Dame Sandra Mason said that the Commonwealth and its institutions hold a special place for her in light of her work. She recognised the work of the organisation and its values saying that the vast network of the Commonwealth has the ability to promote its values across the world and that the Commonwealth family works best when it works together. She highlighted that the Commonwealth Charter reaffirmed the importance of the role of the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary.

The CPA Vice-Patron recognised that the CPA has served its membership for 114 years to sustain parliamentary governments in the Commonwealth and to promote the role of Parliamentarians. She reflected on the theme for the 68th CPC on the role of the Commonwealth today and that the Commonwealth shines as a positive beacon of multilateralism and a global partner. She also emphasises that education and advocacy can help to promote the benefits of the Commonwealth and welcomed the recognition for youth in the CPC programme as they are the future of the Commonwealth.

One of the largest gatherings of Commonwealth Parliamentarians, the 68th CPC is being hosted by the Parliament of Barbados and the CPA Barbados Branch. The main conference theme for the 68th CPC is: ‘The Commonwealth: A Global Partner'.

Delegates to the 68th CPC were welcomed by Hon. Arthur Holder, MP, SC, Speaker of the House of Assembly of Barbados.

Hon. Arthur Holder welcomed the new CPA international legal status which will allow the CPA to play its part on the international stage and thanked the CPA Secretary-General for his work in this area. He said that the 68th CPC is being held at a critical time for the Commonwealth - where there are a wide variety of challenges - stability, financial, social, environmental, responding to technological challenges.

He welcomed the work of the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) network and the advances made in Barbados for persons with disabilities. He also welcomed the discussions being held at the 68th CPC on mental health for MPs, strengthening parliamentary institutions, youth development and support against gang violence.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Botchwey addressed delegates at the Conference and said:

“The Commonwealth is an association of nations – but it is also, crucially, an association of Parliaments. Governments propose, but it is Parliaments that debate, amend and decide. You embody the democratic values that lie at the very heart of our Commonwealth Charter. At a time when democracy is under strain, your role is more important than ever.

Strong, inclusive, accountable Parliaments are the foundation on which all our ambitions rest. Without them, there can be no trust, no legitimacy, and no progress. That is why the CPA’s work is so vital – building capacity, sharing best practice, empowering women and young Parliamentarians, and defending the integrity of our democratic institutions.”

Click here to read her full speech.

Hon. Ralph Thorne, MP, the Leader of the Opposition in Barbados said that the island nation had seen ‘democracy in action’ on the same day as the Parliament had elected a new President of Barbados. He emphasised that Barbados and the Caribbean are a place of peace where democratic transition is peaceful.

The 68th CPC is the second time that the CPA Barbados Branch has hosted the event – the previous time was the 35th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in 1989.

The Chairperson of the Executive Committee, Hon. Dr Christopher Kalila, MP (Zambia) highlighted three key points saying:

“Firstly, I would like to express our gratitude to Barbados - its government and its people - for hosting the 68th CPC. Secondly, I thank all Commonwealth Parliamentarians - Speakers and Members of Parliament - who have travelled across the world to attend this important CPA conference and thirdly, I thank the Commonwealth Secretary-General for speaking at the 68th CPC and sharing her vision for the Commonwealth.

The 68th CPC theme of 'The Commonwealth: A Global Partner' shows us that the Commonwealth is a global partner for all of our Parliaments. The Commonwealth represents a third of the global population and so it is essential that we promote the rule of law, democracy and human rights. The Commonwealth is a global leader, and the CPA is at the forefront of this work as the parliamentary wing of the organisation. The CPA offers a platform for Parliamentarians to meet to address global challenges, fostering inter-parliamentary dialogue, peer-to-peer learning and best practice. The CPA ensures that no Parliament stands alone.”

Delegates were also welcomed by the Prime Minister of Barbados, Hon. Mia Mottley, SC, MP.

The Barbados Prime Minister spoke welcomed representatives from one third of humanity to the small island nation of Barbados. She welcomed the CPA legal status change. It was with great pride that the Barbados Parliament was hosting the 68th CPC – Barbados is one of the oldest Parliaments in the Commonwealth (third oldest).

The Prime Minister welcomed the urgency of the conversations on peace and democracy in the world that would be taking place at 68th CPC and that the climate crisis is ever present in the Caribbean. Our task as Parliamentarians is to build trust in our nations and with our citizens. Nations grow together when we commit to work together in partnership. She also welcomed the call for reparations from across the Commonwealth and that conversations need to take place.

The CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg said:

“On behalf of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, it is my great pleasure to welcome delegates to the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Barbados and to thank the Parliament of Barbados for their generosity in hosting this year’s conference. This conference offers the opportunity to bring together MPs and key stakeholders to share and exchange ideas and best practices, re-enforcing the fact that we live in an inter-connected world and have a shared responsibility to address our common challenges.

That is why the CPA’s annual conference in Barbados this week offers an important opportunity for Parliamentarians to benefit from mutual learning and the sharing of best practices with colleagues from across the Commonwealth to become more effective Members.”

The Vote of Thanks was given by the CPA President (2024-2025), Senator Hon. Reginald Farley, JP, President of the Senate of Barbados who said that the CPA is a pivotal arm of the Commonwealth and that the Parliament is delighted to welcome the 68th CPC delegates to Barbados. He also said that we must always recognise the work undertaken in our Parliaments by our Clerks and parliamentary staff.

The opening ceremony also saw cultural performances and music by the Christ Church Foundation School Steel Orchestra, Celebration of Rhythms, Adrian Green (Spoken Word Artist), Betty Payne (singer) and the Zuoave Marching Band. The Master of Ceremonies was Mr Crispin Hackett.

• For further images of the 68th CPC Opening Ceremony please click here.

MPs and parliamentary staff will benefit from professional development, supportive learning and the sharing of best practice with colleagues from across the Commonwealth together with the participation of leading international organisations. The conference also explores a wide range of workshop topics including strengthening Parliaments to support democracy, leveraging technology and AI to transform Parliaments, examining the impact of climate change on global health and building trust in Legislatures.

The 68th CPC will be attended by Speakers, Presiding Officers and Members of Parliament from across the membership of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). The CPA is the only parliamentary association to bring together national, state, provincial and territorial Legislatures and the CPA’s membership includes almost 180 Parliaments and Legislatures across the Commonwealth.

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.