The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Chairperson, Dr. Christipher Kalila, MP says the theme for this year’s Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) which is “The Commonwealth: A Global Partner”, could not be more timely.  He said in a world where challenges transcend borders, from climate change to economic uncertainty, from inequality to democratic instability, partnership is no longer optional, it is essential. He was speaking on Wednesday 8th October, 2025 during the official opening of the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference being held in Bridgetown, Barbados.
 
Speaking during the same event, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Botchwey said that the Commonwealth is an association of nations but it is also, crucially, an association of Parliaments. Governments propose, but it is Parliaments that debate, amend and decide. Parliaments embody the democratic values that lie at the very heart of the Commonwealth Charter.
She added that at a time when democracy is under strain, Parliament’s role is more important than ever.  Without them, there can be no trust, no legitimacy, and no progress. That is why the CPA’s work is so vital.
 
In her keynote address the Vice-Patron of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Her Excellency Dame Sandra Mason, GCMG, SC, the President of Barbados, urged Commonwealth Parliamentarians to work together to uphold the values of the Commonwealth. She said the vast network of the Commonwealth has the ability to promote its values across the world and that the Commonwealth family works best when it works together.
 
President Mason highlighted that the Commonwealth Charter reaffirmed the importance of the role of the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary. The CPA Vice-Patron recognised that the CPA has served its membership for 114 years to sustain parliamentary governments in the Commonwealth and to promote the role of Parliamentarians. She reflected on the theme for the 68th CPC on the role of the Commonwealth today and that the Commonwealth shines as a positive beacon of multilateralism and as a global partner. She further emphasized that education and advocacy can help to promote the benefits of the Commonwealth and welcomed the recognition for youth in the CPC programme as they are the future of the Commonwealth.

 The Zambian Delegation to the CPC is being led by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nelly B. K Mutti, SC, MP, FAPRA and it includes, Mr. Misheck Nyambose, MP;  Mr Joel Chibuye, MP; Mr. Davison Mung’andu, MP; and Ms Emeldah Munashabantu, MP.
 
The 68th CPC has brought together over 500 Speakers, Presiding Officers and Members of Parliament from across the membership of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). The CPA is the only parliamentary association to bring together national, state, provincial and territorial Legislatures and the CPA’s membership includes almost 180 Parliaments and Legislatures across the Commonwealth.