A CPA UK delegation participated in the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference hosted by the Parliament of South Africa, in Cape Town. 

In a wide-ranging programme delegates contributed to sessions on intergenerational representation, gender mainstreaming, accessible parliaments, fair trade, AI in parliaments, parliamentary leadership in promoting climate adaptation and resilience and post legislative scrutiny.   

CPA UK Chair and chair of the CPA Committee on Human Rights and Peace, Kate Osamor MP, chaired a workshop on protecting human rights and promoting peace.  She moderated contributions ranging from women, peace and security to capital punishment.  The session began with a presentation on the International Committee of the Red Cross’s Global Initiative, calling for parliamentarians to support the pledge to defend international humanitarian law. 

Marie Tidball MP spoke at a session on how parliaments can legislate for disability inclusion, citing UK legislation and where she believes it could be strengthened.  Marie Tidball is the Commonwealth Disabilities with Parliamentarians Champion for the CPA British Islands and Mediterranean Region.   

Adam Jogee MP contributed to a roundtable on rebuilding youth trust and participation in democracy.  He, and Baroness Charlotte Owen were invited to attend this interactive discussion with young people from South Africa. 

All delegates from the CPA British Islands and Mediterranean Region met to hear from their regional CPA Executive Committee members, including Rt Hon. David Mundell MP, about organisational governance issues and recent and upcoming network initiatives.  This included a discussion on the impacts of CPA’s objective to achieve gender equal representation at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference by 2030.  This constitutional amendment was later passed by the General Assembly. 

Carolyn Harris MP attended the Conference as a guest speaker for the Global Menopause Caucus.  At a well-attended side-event, delegates discussed how the issue had been neglected across the globe, despite it being universally relevant and impactful on society.  The panel called for attendees to prioritise addressing this gap and provided a framework for a comprehensive policy response. 

UK delegates attended other side events on Water Security, highlighting the role of parliamentarians to progress water security, sanitation and hygiene and climate resilience, and a session facilitated by the Global Equality Caucus to highlight the backsliding of rights of people identifying as LGBT+ in some Commonwealth countries and threats to their liberty, freedom of expression and safety. 

The General Assembly concluded with a topical debate on ‘New Leadership Opportunities for the Commonwealth: Parliamentary Action to Strengthen Democracy and International Law’.  CPA UK Chair Kate Osamor highlighted the role of CPA UK in underpinning Commonwealth democracy. 

‘Across the Commonwealth, our parliaments face different challenges, but we are united by a shared commitment to democratic institutions, accountability and the rule of law. The CPA gives us a practical way to strengthen those values together.  I see that every day through the work of the UK Branch. …. Through programmes such as the Westminster Seminar, now running for more than 70 years, we continue to invest in parliamentary leadership and institutional resilience’. 

Whilst in Cape Town, UK delegates were briefed on bilateral relations with South Africa by the Acting British High Commissioner, Lisa Weedon.  The Consulate-General arranged a visit to the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation which has key partnerships with UK institutions.  They also took delegates to a community project, the Catch Trust, where they sponsor cricket coaching for young South Africans growing up in one of the Townships.