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:

• CPA, IPU, UNDP and Parliament of Malaysia host joint AI Conference in Kuala Lumpur
• CPA Parliamentary Academy Residency takes place in Trinidad and Tobago
• Maldives Parliamentary delegation meets with CPA Secretary-General
• CPA marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities
• Botswana Parliament receives Kenya Parliamentary Delegation to discuss defence and foreign affairs
• CPA Canada Branch visit Barbados High Commission in Ottawa
• Pakistan National Assembly Speaker visits the People’s Majlis in Maldives
• Vanuatu Parliament participates in scrutiny week in Wellington, New Zealand
• Pakistan Women’s Parliamentary Caucus visit UK Parliament
• Anguilla Legislature launches new accessible website
• SADC Parliamentary Forum held in South Africa
• CPA British Islands and Mediterranean Region lead Election Observation Mission to the Falkland Islands
• CPA North West Province (South Africa) hosts parliamentary delegates for seminar on inclusive economies

Global legislators call for AI guardrails at CPA, IPU, UNDP & Malaysian Parliament Conference

Above: The Speaker of the Malaysian Dewan Rakyat, Hon. Tan Sri Johari Abdul, addresses delegates at the AI Conference opening. Image credit: Parliament of Malaysia.

MPs from around the world have expressed deep concern about the unchecked evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) and the absence of adequate safeguards to prevent irresponsible and potentially dangerous use of the rapidly evolving technology.

Some 200 MPs, parliamentary staff and experts convened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 28 to 30 November 2025 for the international conference 'The Role of Parliament in Shaping the Future of Responsible AI', co-organised by the CPA, the Parliament of Malaysia, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

In their declaration, the MPs called for international cooperation to establish global redlines for the responsible use of AI in the ‘common interest of humanity’ rather than allow power to be left solely in the hands of technology actors.

The legislators warned that without oversight, rapid AI advances could erode public trust in elections and institutions, drive massive worker displacement, amplify existing discrimination against women, accelerate the climate emergency by vastly augmenting energy demands and widen the digital divide within and between nations.

Read more about the AI Conference by clicking here and read the Kuala Lumpur declaration by clicking here.

Trinidad and Tobago Parliament hosts CPA Parliamentary Academy Residency Programme for Commonwealth Parliamentarians

The CPA Parliamentary Academy Residency programme has been held in Trinidad and Tobago for 17 Commonwealth Parliamentarians. The CPA programme examined how MPs can be better performing legislators and scrutineers and provided an extension of the CPA Parliamentary Academy, the CPA’s portfolio of online courses specifically for Parliamentarians and parliamentary officials.

The CPA Advanced Parliamentary Development Residency Programme was hosted by the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago in Port-of-Spain from 8 to 12 December 2025 and attended by MPs from different Commonwealth jurisdictions including Anguilla, Australian Capital Territory, Cayman Islands, Eswatini, Kenya, The Maldives, Nova Scotia, Pakistan, Tasmania and Trinidad and Tobago.

Read more by clicking here.

Above: Participants at the Trinidad and Tobago CPA Parliamentary Academy Residency. Image credit: Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago.

Maldives Parliamentary delegation meets with CPA Secretary-General

The Deputy Speaker of the People’s Majlis (Maldives Parliament), Hon. Ahmed Nazim, MP and a delegation of MPs and parliamentary staff met with the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Stephen Twigg, at the UK Parliament in London on 4 December 2025.

The Maldives delegation was at Westminster for a bilateral programme organised by the CPA UK Branch titled ‘Shared Insights on Parliamentary Practice’. During the programme, they also met with the Deputy Speaker UK House of Commons, Hon. Nusrat Ghani, MP and other UK MPs to discuss ways of working.

The CPA Maldives Branch was reformed from August 2022 and is both part of the CPA Asia Region and the CPA Small Branches network.

Above: The Maldives delegation with CPA Secretary-General Stephen Twigg.

CPA marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), through its Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) network, marked International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025 #IDPwD on 3 December 2025. The CPA celebrates its commitment to advancing inclusion, accessibility and equality for persons with disabilities.

The UN-observed day is recognised across the world and this year’s theme is ‘Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress’.

Read more about how the CPA and Commonwealth Parliamentarians marked the occasion by clicking here.

The CPwD Chairperson, Senator Hon. Isaiah Jacob (Malaysia) said:

“International Day of Persons with Disabilities is an opportunity to recognise the achievements of persons with disabilities in all spheres of our daily life and the work that needs to be done to advance equal representation for all. The Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities network is active in promoting equal representation for persons with disabilities in Parliaments and greater accessibility to Legislative buildings.”

Watch his full video message below where he speaks about events taking place in Malaysia:

Botswana Parliament receives Kenya Parliamentary delegation to discuss defence and foreign affairs

The Speaker of the National Assembly of Botswana, Hon. Dithapelo L. Keorapetse, welcomed Members of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Affairs from the Parliament of Kenya in November 2025. The Kenya Committee visited Botswana on a study visit to meet their Parliament Committee counterparts.

The Botswana Speaker highlighted the long-standing relations between Botswana and Kenya, noting the many similarities the two nations share, including their history and their developing democratic systems.

The leader of the Kenyan delegation, Hon. Yusuf Hassan Abdi, said they were looking forward to engaging with the Committee, emphasising that there is always something to learn from each other’s experiences.

Above: Members of the Kenyan Parliamentary Delegation meeting with their counterparts in Botswana. Image credit: Botswana Parliament.

CPA Canada Branch visit Barbados High Commission 

Members of the Parliament of Canada visited the Barbados High Commission in Ottawa on 7 December 2025. The CPA Canada Branch delegation attended the recent 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Bridgetown, Barbados in October and followed up on the Conference with a bilateral meeting with the Barbados High Commissioner to Canada, Gline A. Clarke to discuss strengthening the bilateral relationship in such areas as trade, tourism and research cooperation.

The delegation comprised of CPA Canada Federal Chairperson, Hon. Alexandra Mendès, MP, Assistant Speaker of the House of Commons; Senator Hon. Rosemary Moodie; Senator Hon. Tony Ince; and Senator Hon. Andrew Cardozo.

Above: Members of the Canadian Parliamentary Delegation at the Barbados High Commission in Ottawa.

Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan visits the People’s Majlis in Maldives 

The Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Hon. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, MNA visited the People’s Majlis (Parliament of Maldives) on 17 December 2025.

The Pakistan delegation was received by the Speaker of the People’s Majlis, Hon. Abdul Raheem Abdulla. The two Speakers discussed the long-standing friendship between the Maldives and Pakistan and emphasised avenues for enhancing future collaboration between the two countries. The Maldives Speaker also expressed his gratitude for Pakistan’s continued assistance to the Maldives in the fields of education and health.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the People’s Majlis and National Assembly of Pakistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation between the two Parliaments which would provide a structured training and capacity-building programmes for both Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff. The aim of these programmes is to strengthen the parliamentary practices and cooperation between the two Legislatures.

The Maldives and Pakistan are both CPA Branches in the CPA Asia Region.

Above: Members of the delegations of Pakistan and Maldives, including (centre) the Speaker of the People's Majlis and the Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan. Image credit: Maldives Parliament.

Vanuatu Parliament participates in scrutiny week in Wellington 

The New Zealand Parliament welcomed two Members of the Parliament of Vanuatu to Wellington from 1 to 4 December 2025 to observe scrutiny week and to learn about parliamentary procedures.  

The Vanuatu delegation – comprising of Hon. John Joseph, MP (Chair, Constitutional Committee); Hon. Jackson Lessa, MP (Vice-Chair, Committee on Social Issues); Mr Giscard Kavick (Executive Secretary, Committee on Economic and Foreign Policies); and Mrs Andrianna Tari Buru (Executive Secretary, Committee on Constitutional Affairs) – were given a traditional Mihi Whakatau with New Zealand MPs Hon. David MacLeod and Hon. Vanessa Weenink, followed by a guided tour of Parliament’s historic buildings. 

The delegates also met with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Gerry Brownlee, MP as well as meeting with MPs, Clerks and other staff members. 

Above: Members of the Vanuatu delegation outside the Parliament of New Zealand. Image credit: NZ Parliament.

Pakistan Women’s Parliamentary Caucus visit Westminster

Above: Members of the Women's Parliamentary Caucus, Pakistan with CPA Secretariat staff.

A delegation from the Pakistan Women’s Caucus at the Parliament of Pakistan visited the UK Parliament during November 2025 for a programme of learning organised by the CPA UK Branch.

The delegation met with UK MPs and experts during their visit to Westminster to discuss gender-based violence, addressing online abuse and violence against women in politics.

The Pakistan Women’s Caucus also met with Avni Kondhia and Benite Dibateza from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Headquarters to discuss the work of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) network and gender sensitising Parliaments.

Ms Shahida Rehmani, Secretary of the Pakistan Women’s Caucus also signed a joint communique with the UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls, Rt Hon. Baroness Harriet Harman.

The visit came during the 16 days of activism to campaign against violence against women and girls.

Anguilla Legislature launches new accessible website

The Anguilla House of Assembly held a virtual launch event for its new website on 16 December 2025. The development project has seen two major features added to the new online platform for the Assembly.

Hon. Shellya Rogers-Webster, MHA outlined the developments that have been made. The first project has established a dedicated, independent online platform for the Anguilla House of Assembly, providing a central hub for parliamentary information and public engagement. In addition to hosting Hansard reports, Bills, acts, livestreams, and educational resources, the website also incorporates strong accessibility features such as screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, alternative text for images, closed-captioned livestreams and multi-format document repositories.

The development of the accessible website has been funded through the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) network, ensuring barrier-free access for all citizens, including persons with disabilities.

Read more about the launch event by clicking here and access the new website by clicking here.

CPA BIMR Election Observation Mission to the Falkland Islands

The General Election for the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly took place on 11 December 2025, and the CPA British Islands and Mediterranean Region (BIMR) undertook an Election Observation Mission during the election period. This was the first time that a Falkland Islands election had been observed by a CPA BIMR Election Observation team, who were led by Hon. Alun Davies MS from the Welsh Parliament and included Hon. Akierra Missick, MP from the Parliament of Turks and Caicos Islands; Hon. Rob Callister, MHK from the Parliament of the Isle of Man with two international election analysts, Stefan Szwed and Vasil Vashchanka.  

The electoral process was described as ‘calm and well run’. The Mission noted that voters demonstrated civic responsibility, with an impressive turnout of 90.4% in Camp and 81% in Stanley and the professionalism of election officials was also noted. 

Commenting on the initial findings, Head of Mission Alun Davies MS said: 

"It is always a privilege to spend time listening and learning and having a conversation about how we deepen and strengthen our democracies. It is in this spirit of friendship and cooperation that we publish our preliminary statement on the Falkland Islands General Election, which took place yesterday on Thursday 11 December 2025. We hope that this statement will inform any review of the election. Our full report including our findings and any recommendations will be published within three months." 

Above: Members of the CPA BIMR Election Observation Mission team in the Falkland Islands.

Read the full preliminary statement by clicking here. 

South Africa host 58th SADC Parliamentary Forum

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Parliamentary Forum’s 58th Plenary Assembly Symposium was held in Umhlanga, South Africa from 30 November to 5 December 2025 on the theme of ‘The impact of climate change on women and young people in the SADC Region and the role of Parliaments in mitigating and adapting to climate change’.

Parliamentarians, climate experts, government representatives and community organisations came together to address the responses to human settlements and recurrent disasters; risk management and climate responses; perspectives from the world of business and agriculture; and the impacts on women, youth and vulnerable communities.

The Parliament of South Africa hosted the 58th Plenary Assembly and the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Thoko Didiza said:

“South Africa is honoured to host this important gathering of Speakers, Presiding Officers and Members of Parliament from the SADC Member States. The SADC PF is an institution that has, for nearly three decades, been central to strengthening parliamentary democracy, regional integration, and the harmonisation of legislation that supports development across Southern Africa. Hosting this gathering is both symbolic and timely; it reminds us that climate impacts are not theoretical but lived realities and that discussions about mitigation and adaptation must be rooted in the experience of our communities.”

Above: Attendees at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Parliamentary Forum’s 58th Plenary Assembly Symposium.

In recent months, the Parliament of South Africa hosted the 11th G20 Parliamentary Speakers Summit (P20) and is preparing to host the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in 2026.

The SADC Assembly was also attended by the Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Rt Hon. Nelly B. K. Mutti, SC, MP; and the Secretary-General of the SADC-PF, Ms Boemo Sekgoma.

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 Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Rt Hon. Nelly B. K. Mutti, SC, MP.

CPA North West host parliamentary delegates for seminar on inclusive economies

The Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature in South Africa, Hon. Dr Desbo Mohono welcomed parliamentary delegates to the CPA Africa Region Capacity Development Seminar, which took place from 24 to 27 November 2025 in Sun City, North West Province, South Africa.

The development seminar brought together MPs from across the CPA Africa Region to explore strategies to strengthen social protection, expand inclusive economic opportunities and empower innovation-driven development across the continent.

Delegates also engaged in discussions and shared best practices, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among participants.

Above: Delegates from across the CPA Africa Region at the Capacity Development Seminar.

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