Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Secretariat

23/10/2026

This week, a CPA delegation was hosted by The National Assembly of Seychelles for a Post-Election Seminar. The Seminar for new and returning Parliamentarians follows a General Election, and the passing of a National Assembly Administration Act in 2026.

Read more about the CPA's parliamentary strengthening work here ⬇️
https://www.cpahq.org/what-we-do/institutional-parliamentary-strengthening/

21/10/2026

Last week, Parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth were hosted by States of Guernsey for a CPA Parliamentary Academy Residency.

Read more ⬇
https://www.cpahq.org/news/2026-10-guernsey-cpa-residency/

Legislators participated in sessions on media and social media, the legislative process and outreach, and met colleagues from Australia, National Assembly of Belize, Eswatini Government, Houses of Parliament, Jamaica, Kenya National Assembly, Parliament of the Republic of Namibia, Nova Scotia Legislature (Canada), Pakistan, Saint Lucia, Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, Parliament of Sri Lanka, The Scottish Parliament and Sark Chief Pleas.

13/10/2026

CPA News: Parliaments of Ukraine 🇺🇦, Brunei 🇧🇳 and Morocco 🇲🇦 granted Special Observer Status with Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

Three Parliaments have been granted Special Observer Status with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association following the approval of the CPA’s Executive Committee.

The newly created CPA Special Observer Status can be applied for by national, sub-national and regional Parliaments who share the principles and values of the CPA and the Commonwealth.

The new CPA Special Observer Status aims to strengthen relationships with non-CPA Parliaments, both regionally and globally, and encourage engagement with the CPA’s mission and work.

The CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg said: “We are delighted to welcome the Parliaments of Ukraine (Verkhovna Rada), Brunei and Morocco to the new Special Observer Status with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and look forward to working together to promote good governance and international cooperation between Parliaments and Legislatures.”

Find out more ⬇
https://www.cpahq.org/news/2026_10-cpa-special-observer-status/

Верховна Рада України

13/10/2026

This week, Parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth are being hosted by the States of Guernsey for a CPA Parliamentary Academy Residency.

They'll be participating in exercises on social media in Parliaments, scrutiny and oversight in committees and more. Sign up for the Parliamentary Academy below ⬇
https://www.cpahq.org/parliamentary-academy/

10/10/2026

On 2026 - the CPA highlights the work of MPs and parliamentary staff around the world.

It is important to give MPs and others who work in Parliament proper care and support for their mental health. MPs and parliamentary staff often work long hours, spend lengthy times away from family and friends, and face online abuse, harassment and threats of violence.

That’s why the CPA created a Mental Health Toolkit for Parliaments. It educates and advises Parliaments on how to survey and identify staff mental health needs, launch systemic initiatives to address common parliamentary workplace issues and establish organisational support systems for MPs and staff.

Find out more and download it here ⬇

The toolkit provides guidance, advice and education on how to protect and promote the mental health and well-being of Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff.

09/10/2026

Commonwealth Speakers and MPs attend IPU’s 153rd Assembly as Naoero 🇳🇷 becomes newest member Parliament and Australian Speaker 🇦🇺 is elected IPU President

Commonwealth Parliamentarians have attended the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Arusha, Tanzania 🇹🇿 this week. The overarching theme of the event was on ‘Enhancing good governance and empowering communities through inclusivity, trust and opportunities for all’.

The IPU President, Hon. Dr. Tulia Ackson (Tanzania), the IPU Secretary-General, Anda Filip and the Speaker of the Parliament of Tanzania Bunge la Tanzania, Hon. M***a Azzan Zungu welcomed delegates to the 153rd IPU Assembly with the Prime Minister of Tanzania, Hon. Dr Mwigulu Lameck Nchemba officially opening the event.

Delegates elected Hon. Milton Dick MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives at the Parliament of Australia as the new IPU President for a three-year term. The President of the IPU is the political head of the organisation.

The IPU welcomed the Naoero Parliament as its 184th member Parliament, one of the smallest countries in the world in the Pacific Ocean. Its membership brings an important new voice to the IPU, strengthening representation of small island states in the Pacific and the key priorities facing these nations, including issues such as climate change.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organisation of national Parliaments that began in 1889 to promote peace through parliamentary diplomacy and dialogue.

Find out more about the event ⬇
https://www.cpahq.org/news/2026_10-153-ipu-assembly/

About the House - Australian House of Representatives Parliament House Canberra

07/10/2026

NEW CPA PODCAST

SOUTH AFRICA’S POLITICAL JOURNEY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMMONWEALTH

This episode of ‘Parliamentary Conversations in the ’ speaks to Hon. Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, Chairperson of National Council of Provinces at the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa 🇿🇦 about the role of the Commonwealth and the challenges facing Parliaments today

Listen online, on YouTube or via your favourite Podcast platform ⬇
https://www.cpahq.org/knowledge-centre/podcast/

07/10/2026

Join a virtual webinar on 'The Power of Inclusive Networks' on 22 October 2026 from 12-1pm (UTC+1)

This event will feature Jamaican Parliamentarian and disability rights advocate, Senator Floyd Morris and is being supported by the Parliamentarians with Disabilities , a network of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association that works to increase the representation of persons with disabilities in Commonwealth Parliaments.

Inclusive networks are a powerful and important mechanism for disabled communities and groups worldwide. Networks often act as a focus point for advocacy and action, providing shared learning and creating opportunities and collective impact for members and groups.

Join the Disabled Leaders Network, the British Council Alumni UK Disability Inclusion Network and the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities network for a discussion on setting up and running disability inclusive networks.

Find out more and register ⬇
https://disabledleadersnetwork.com/events/

Global Disability Innovation Hub Snowdon Trust

We regularly run webinars for our members and the public. These can cover various topics to support disabled students and early career professionals. Scroll down to watch back our previous sessions. For DLN members-only events, please look out for our email updates, newsletters and social media gro...

07/10/2026

Congratulations to the Naoero Parliament on becoming the 184th member Parliament of the Inter-Parliamentary Union

06/10/2026

Over 900 delegates met in Cape Town last month for the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference Parliament of the Republic of South Africa.

Watch our video below with highlights from across the week ⬇

Over 900 Parliamentarians, parliamentary staff, observers and exper...