Parliamentary representatives from around the Commonwealth attended the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Small Branches Workshop 2026 from 27 to 29 April 2026, under the theme of ‘Strong and Independent Parliaments in Small Jurisdictions’. Delegates were hosted by the Parliament of Maldives (People’s Majlis) in Malé. 

The Speaker of the People’s Majlis, Hon. Abdul Raheem Abdulla, MP, said:  

“It is my pleasure to welcome you all to the Maldives for this CPA Small Branches Workshop, hosted by the People’s Majlis in partnership with the CPA. The presence of Speakers, Deputy Speakers and Ministerial-level delegates at this workshop is a strong reflection of the importance that Commonwealth small jurisdictions place on strengthening parliamentary democracy and institutional resilience. The theme of the workshop speaks directly to the realities we face in small legislatures, where our responsibilities are significant even when our resources are limited.”

He also welcomed the Vice-President of Republic of The Maldives, H.E Hussain Mohamed Latheef and the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ahmed Nazim, MP, who is also both a CPA Asia Regional Representative on the CPA Executive Committee and the CPA Small Branches Steering Committee Member for the Asia Region. 

The Maldives Vice-President emphasised that his country places great importance on its relationship with the Commonwealth and its member states and said:

"Building strong and independent Parliaments, which is the aim of this workshop, is something linked to the heart of democratic governance. A Parliament must function with a clear purpose and independence. Without these, the balance between the branches of government weakens, and the people's trust will diminish." 

The Chairperson of the CPA Small Branches network, Hon. Valerie Woods (Belize), opened the workshop saying:

“On behalf of the CPA Small Branches network, it is my great pleasure to welcome you all. The ideas, collaboration and leadership we bring together here have the power to shape strong, resilient Parliaments across the Commonwealth. The CPA Small Branches aims to empower small Parliaments to overcome national and global challenges through cooperation, advocacy and the strengthening of parliamentary democracy and good governance.” 

Delegates included the Speaker of the House of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa, the Deputy President of the Senate of Saint Lucia and the Deputy Speakers of the People’s Majlis of Maldives and the Parliament of the Cayman Islands. MPs also attended from some of the smallest Legislatures across the Commonwealth, including those of Australian Capital Territory, Isle of Man, Seychelles and Tasmania. 

They heard from political and policy experts and legislators in sessions focused on separation of powers, the law-making process, accountability mechanisms and parliamentary financial oversight. At the end of the programme, delegates took part in a group exercise focussed on strengthening Parliamentary oversight, where they had the chance to put into practice the principles and lessons they had learned throughout the workshop.   

Experts and resource people from across the Commonwealth included: 

• Hon. Valerie Woods, MP, Speaker of the National Assembly of Belize and CPA Small Branches Chairperson.
• Justice Murdu Fernando, PC, 48th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka. 
• Andrew Young, former Clerk of the Legislative Council of the Parliament of Victoria, and Assistant Clerk and Secretary of the Public Accounts Committee in the Western Australia Legislative Assembly. 
• Latoya McDowald-Hurley, Legal Officer in the Rule of Law Section at the Commonwealth Secretariat.
• Geoff Dubrow, MA, MPA, Founder and Principal Consultant of Nexus PFM Consulting Inc.
• Lesley Burns, Canadian Audit and Accountability Foundation’s Vice-President of Oversight and Professional Development. 

The CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg said:  

“The CPA Small Branches network exists to support smaller Parliaments as they navigate the distinct challenges of scale, resources and influence. One of the most pressing issues identified through the network’s recent ‘Have Your Say’ survey is the challenge of maintaining a clear separation of powers - a cornerstone of democratic governance. This workshop directly responds to that concern, providing a dedicated space to explore how small Parliaments can protect and strengthen their independence in the face of Executive overreach and shifting political dynamics.”

To find out more about the work of the CPA Small Branches network please click here. 

-ENDS- 

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is an international community of 180 Parliaments at national, state, provincial and territorial level working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance.  

The CPA Small Branches network represents the Parliaments in the small jurisdictions of the Commonwealth to identify their particular needs and requirements in parliamentary strengthening, development and cooperation. CPA Small Branches are classified as those jurisdictions (national and sub-national) with populations of up to 1 million inhabitants.