Turks & Caicos Islands host 45th CPA Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic Regional Conference
The House of Assembly of the Turks & Caicos Islands hosted the 45th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Caribbean, Americas and the Atlantic (CAA) Regional Conference in Providenciales from 21 to 28 July 2023.
The Regional Conference brought together Parliamentarians and Clerks from jurisdictions across the CPA CAA Region for discussions on the theme of ‘Building a resilient region in the face of global challenges’. Sessions covered topics including disaster preparedness, biodiversity and climate change.
Delegates heard presentations from parliamentary leaders throughout the region, including seven Speakers of Parliament, plus external experts from the law enforcement, banking and health sectors. The CPA Chairperson, Hon. Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP, and the CPA Deputy Secretary-General, Jarvis Matiya, were also in attendance.
At the opening ceremony, Turks and Caicos Islands Premier, Hon. Charles Washington Misick, OBE, discussed the focus on sustainability at the Regional Conference, telling delegates:
“I believe what we are looking at today is a more comprehensive definition of sustainability. When I think of sustainability, I think of turbulent change, adaptation, sustainability in terms of infrastructure – institutional, our social systems [and] ecosystems.”
Watch: The opening ceremony of the 45th Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic (CAA) Regional Conference in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands
CPA CAA Regional Chairperson, Hon. Gordon Burton MHA, Speaker of the Turks and Caicos Islands House of Assembly spoke about how the CPA gives Caribbean nations a voice on the international stage, saying:
“We are small island states in the Caribbean but together we have a voice that can resonate throughout the Commonwealth and impact decisions made on a global scale.”
During the week, the CAA Region of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) network also hosted their 13th Conference. Opening the Regional Conference, Hon. Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Belize and Chair of the CWP CAA Region, stated:
“The purpose of a women’s parliamentary network in the region is because women are still under-represented. If Parliaments are to be truly representatives of the people, then it needs reflect this in its numbers and currently in the region, it does not. There is much more work to do.”
The two-day conference addressed the crucial role of women Parliamentarians in democratic governance, the shared experiences across the region of women in leadership and the issue of youth crime.
On 26 July, young people from across the region took part in the 16th CPA CAA Regional Youth Parliament. The Youth Parliament mirrored the structure of the Turks & Caicos Islands House of Assembly and delegates debated a motion based on the main theme of the Conference.
The CPA CAA Region comprises 19 Legislatures, including Small Island Developing States, British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean, and Central and South American states, such as Belize and Guyana.
Watch: 16th CAA Regional Youth Parliament, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands, July 24, 2023
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The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association connects, develops, promotes and supports Parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and the implementation of the enduring values of the Commonwealth. The CPA is an international community of around 180 Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance.
