Our Lunchtime Conversations are a regular monthly event in the CPA Room in Westminster Hall. They are open to all MPs, Peers, parliamentary staff and their guests. 

Supporting the UK Overseas Territories

How can UK parliamentarians, as well as the wider Commonwealth, support the UK Overseas Territories? As Argentine President Javier Milei doubles down on his position that the Falkland Islands "rightfully belong" to Argentina, how do we show our commitment to the Falklands, as well as other Overseas Territories? What is the most appropriate support we can give and how can it be delivered? We’ll learn about the specific challenges facing the UK OTs and ways to meet those challenges. Panellists include:

• Baroness Smith of Newnham
• Dr Al Pinkerton MP
• Richard Hyslop Falkland Islands Government Representative to the UK and Europe
• Kimberley Durrant, Chair of United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association.

Previous Lunchtime Conversations include:

Climate Resilience Across the Commonwealth

CPA UK's new 5-year strategy has climate change as one of our central themes. Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face globally. Many member countries and small island states across the Commonwealth face serious challenges from climate change. This lunchtime conversation brought together expert panellists from the Commonwealth Secretariat, UK Parliamentarians and academics to discuss the impacts of climate change and the ways we can work together to build climate resilience across the commonwealth.

The Commonwealth Games

3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories will be there and it will have the largest para-sport programme in Commonwealth history. Organisers say they’re “pioneering a leaner, more sustainable model for major events.”

Discussing the Bangladesh Election

This Lunchtime Conversation took place a fortnight after the Bangladesh elections. We explored what the results mean for the future of Bangladesh. With a panel of experts, including Baroness Winterton who is the UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh, we examine what happens next and discover the most pressing issues facing this Commonwealth nation.