Commonwealth Parliamentarian of the Year Awards
2026-09-06 | Cape Town, South Africa
The Commonwealth Parliamentarian of the Year Awards aim to recognise and highlight inspirational and active Parliamentarians for excelling in their field.
The awards are open to nominees who are current Parliamentarians across the Commonwealth.* There are four award categories:

Commonwealth Parliamentarian of the Year Award:
This award recognises an outstanding Parliamentarian who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication and commitment to advancing parliamentary democracy and good governance across the Commonwealth.
Parliamentary Equality and Diversity Award:
This award honours a Parliamentarian who has shown significant leadership in promoting equality, diversity and inclusion within their legislature and broader community.
New Parliamentarian Award:
This award is presented to a Commonwealth Parliamentarian in their first term who has demonstrated an impressive record of achievement in their first years as a Parliamentarian and has promoted democracy and good governance within their jurisdiction
Parliamentarian Lifetime Achievement Award:
This award is given to a long-serving Parliamentarian who has made a lasting and significant contribution to parliamentary democracy, demonstrating sustained commitment, leadership and integrity over the course of their career.

*Parliamentarian Lifetime Achievement Award winners can be a former Commonwealth Parliamentarian if they ceased their final term up to one year before the nomination was submitted.

Nominations for the 2026 Commonwealth Parliamentarian of the Year Awards are now open!
The winners of the 2026 Awards will be announced at the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference due to be held in Cape Town, South Africa in September 2026.
To nominate a Parliamentarian, email hq.sec@cpahq.org outlining how the candidate meets the nomination criteria, found below.

The deadline for nominations is 10 July 2026.

International Day of Democracy 2026
2026-09-15 | International Day
Event Details
Date: 15 September 2026
Location: Worldwide
The International Day of Democracy provides an opportunity to review the state of democracy in the world.

The mission of the CPA is:
to promote knowledge of the constitutional, legislative, economic, social and cultural aspects of parliamentary democracy, with particular reference to the countries of the Commonwealth.
The work of the CPA supports Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff across its 180 Branches to uphold and strengthen parliamentary democracy, the rule of law, sustainable development and human rights. Through mutual learning, dialogue, co-operation and networking, the CPA seeks to build strong, powerful and effective parliamentary institutions that are able to respond and adapt to the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Effective Parliaments are one of the principal institutions of any functioning democracy. An elected Parliament acts as a representative body of the population and should retain the ability to pass laws, hold the government to account, scrutinise public spending and voice the concerns of citizens.
On International Day of Democracy, the CPA and its Members around the world renew our commitment to safeguard, support and strengthen parliamentary democracy.
If you are holding events for International Day of Democracy then tag @CPA_Secretariat on X/Twitter/Instagram or email details to communications@cpahq.org.

28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)
2026-11-01 | Antigua and Barbuda, Antigua and Barbuda
Event Details
Date: 1 to 4 November 2026
Location: Antigua and Barbuda
Theme: ‘Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth’.

Overview
The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Hon. Gaston Browne , and the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Botchwey have announced that the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will be held in Antigua and Barbuda, beginning on 1 November 2026.
The CHOGM 2026 theme will be ‘Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth‘.
The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Hon. Gaston Browne said the theme reflects Antigua and Barbuda’s enduring belief in unity, progress, and equality among nations:
“The theme speaks to a truth we live by in Antigua and Barbuda: when each of us plays our part – in our homes, our communities, and our nations – we all move forward. It echoes our national motto, ‘Each Endeavouring, All Achieving’, reminding us that real progress happens when we work together to build a future where everyone has the chance to thrive. Antigua and Barbuda is proud to open our doors to the Commonwealth in 2026 – to host, to listen, and to lead with purpose.”
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Botchwey said the theme captures the Commonwealth’s modern mission to turn ambition into action:
“This theme captures the spirit of partnership and enterprise that defines the modern Commonwealth. Together, we are building bridges of opportunity between governments and business, between people and ideas, to deliver tangible results for our citizens. As we look to CHOGM 2026, hosted with warmth and pride by Antigua and Barbuda, our focus is clear: to accelerate progress and prosperity through shared investment, innovation and inclusion.”
The programme of high-level side events, Ministers’ meetings and forums – including the Commonwealth Youth Forum, the Commonwealth Women’s Forum, the Commonwealth Business Forum and the Commonwealth People’s Forum – will be held in the lead-up to CHOGM 2026.
During CHOGM 2026, the CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg and a delegation of Commonwealth Parliamentarians will join a number of events, bilateral meetings with key stakeholders and visit the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda.
For more information, please click here to visit the Commonwealth Secretariat website.

Watch a short video below ‘From Apia, Samoa to St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda’
(Video credit: Commonwealth Secretariat)
