THE 34th Annual Regional Conference of the Caribbean, the Americas and Atlantic Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) opened last evening with the focus on the pressing economic and social challenges confronting the region and advancing parliamentary democracy.

The official ceremony was held at the National Cultural Centre, Mandela and Homestretch Avenues, in Georgetown, and business sessions get under way today at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

Acting President Samuel Hinds shares a light moment with Secretary-General of CPA, Dr. William Shija

The delegation, which include Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Grenada, Antigua, British Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Jamaica, United Kingdom (U.K), and Canada, will over the next three days, be debating socio-economic and political matters that threaten to hinder the regions’ development.

The Association was founded in 1911 as the Empire Parliamentary Association and renamed the CPA in 1949, and serves to provide easier exchange of information and facilitate closer understanding and more frequent intercourse among those engaged in the parliamentary governance of the various Commonwealth States.

The conference is being held under the theme ‘Strengthening Parliamentary Democracy; Confronting Challenges and Enhancing Cooperation between the Region’.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran, addressing the opening, noted that this region of the CPA has 28 members of parliament which meet once a year to discuss matters of topical interests and the best ways to promote and strengthen parliamentary democracy.

“In keeping with the objectives of the conference, we have struggled long and hard to ensure the delegates and observers will have a constructive and productive regional conference which will add to the diligent efforts being made to solve the pressing economic and social problems of the region, and to advance parliamentary democracy,” he said.

He said the forum presents yet another annual opportunity to review the achievements of the past year and determine a strategy to deal with the new challenges confronting the region.

Ramkarran reminded that at this time, the world is faced with the worst financial crisis in almost 100 years, complicated by a growing threat from climate change; increasing criminal activities in the region; and other problems generated by external events as well as internal circumstances.

“These challenges place an increased burden of expectation on you, the elected representatives of the people, to respond to their demands,” he asserted.

He said the agenda includes a wide array of topics capturing the main issues facing the region and its people today, expressing the hope that in the course of examining these issues, there will be a conclusion that will help the parliaments to chart a way forward.

Ramkarran outlined the issues of the global economic crisis and its social impact; priority in spending; environment and climate change; challenges in relation to public safety; human rights; and strengthening of parliaments, which reflect some of the issues dealt with during the just concluded CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Guyana.

“We parliamentarians nevertheless believe that we have a responsibility to examine and support the decisions of the Heads on those matters where we find agreement,” he maintained.

Secretary-General of the CPA, Dr. Williams Shija, in brief remarks, said the Commonwealth celebrated its 60 years this year under the theme ‘Serving a New Generation’ which underscored the importance of young people.

Emphasising the importance of youths, he advocated the continued active involvement of young people in the work and activities of the region.

The Tanzanian born Dr. Shija noted that in this regard, the Commonwealth has had many achievements over the years through its various programmes and bodies, such as National Youth Councils and Commonwealth Youth Ambassador Programme.

The Secretary-General encouraged the deepening of the understanding of parliamentary democracy among young people.

He said the CPA has continued to lead the way in the parliamentary strengthening and assisting parliaments in developing countries.

Prime Minister and Acting President, Mr. Samuel Hinds said the CPA is a global family of 2.1B people which is about one third of the world population.

“The CPA is a good example of the growing realization of the world as one and all humankind one,” he told the gathering, which included Members of Parliaments and the Diplomatic Corps.

Reiterating the challenges, he endorsed the theme of the forum, stating, “We need to confer on how we parliamentarians, in parliaments, can serve our peoples better.”

Alluding to the strengthening of parliamentary democracy, he urged, “Let us during the next three days reaffirm our commitment to democracy, heightening our consciousness that democracy has to be worked for.”

Following the successful hosting of a series of international events, Guyana is being represented at the forum by a bipartisan team which comprises two members of the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and one from the Opposition.

Active CPA Branches now exist in 169 national, state, provincial and territorial Parliaments, with a total membership of approximately 16,000 Parliamentarians.
Last year’s conference was held in Westminster, London, England.