Grenada provides guidance to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) as the global association has now been legislated as an International Interparliamentary organisation after 110 years as a charity. Grenada’s support is provided by the President of the Senate, Hon. Dr. Dessima Williams who serves as one of three Caribbean Parliamentarians on CPA’s Executive Committee.
CPA’s new status will come into effect by the end of 2025 and the body is planning to seek permanent observer status with the United Nations soon thereafter.
The CPA is 110 years old, and has a membership of 180 parliaments around the world. The body is dedicated to promoting parliamentary diplomacy, democracy, good governance and programmes.
At the May mid-year meeting, Senate President Williams and other members of the Executive Committee authorised a budget of GBP3.389m for 2025 and GBP3.351m for 2026. The 2025 budget includes a subvention for the annual general meeting which will be held in Barbados, October 5-12, 2025. Prime Minister Mia Mottley is expected to become a vice patron of the global organisation. Hundreds of African, Asian, Canadian and other parliamentarians are expected to come to the Caribbean.
The CPA has conducted a benchmarking exercise for Grenada which helps the parliament to reinforce its strengths and identify areas for development and/or expansion. In this context, President Williams has been developing a proposal for a library and resource centre for the Grenada parliament.
The meeting also received reports on small branches, on parliaments and artificial intelligence, on climate change, on parliamentarians with disabilities and on gender sensitive issues for parliaments. The meeting took place in London and was hosted by Secretary General Stephen Twigg, former MP, and current Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle. President Williams returned to Grenada on Sunday.
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