Commonwealth Parliamentary Association[1] | |
|---|---|
![Logo of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association[1]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aLogo_of_the_Commonwealth_Parliamentary_Association.svg) Logo | |
| Headquarters | London |
| Leaders | |
• Patron | Charles III |
• Chair | Hon. Christopher Kalila, MP (Zambia) |
• Secretary-General | Stephen Twigg |
| Establishment | |
• Empire Parliamentary Association | 1911 |
• Commonwealth Parliamentary Association | 1948 |
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TheCommonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), previously known as theEmpire Parliamentary Association, is an organisation which works to supportgood governance,democracy andhuman rights.
In 2024,King Charles III,Head of the Commonwealth became thepatron of the CPA in succession toQueen Elizabeth II. The vice-patronship rotates amongst theHeads of State and Heads of Government of theCommonwealth nations who host its forthcoming annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference. The Association's supreme authority is theGeneral Assembly, constituted by delegates to the annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference.[2] The business and activities of the CPA are managed by an Executive Committee, which reports to the General Assembly. The CPA's funds are derived from membership fees paid by itsbranches, as well as from twotrust funds and benefactors.
The official publication of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association isThe Parliamentarian, theJournal of Commonwealth Parliaments which was first published in January 1920. The organisation administers the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), a network across the Commonwealth which promotes greater representation for women in Parliament; the CPA Small Branches network, representing Parliaments and Legislatures with populations below 1 million people; the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) network; and theCommonwealth Youth Parliament, an annual gathering of young people hosted by a Commonwealth Parliament.
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) currently has almost 180 branches and is divided into nine regions: Africa, Asia, Australia, British Islands and Mediterranean, Canada, Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic, India, Pacific, andSouth-East Asia. The CPA Headquarters Secretariat is based inLondon.
The CPA was founded as the Empire Parliamentary Association in 1911, with its first branches being Australia, Canada,Newfoundland, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom, the latter branch administering the Association as a whole. In 1948 the Association changed its name to the current Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and invited all branches to participate in the organisation's administration.
In 1989,Queen Elizabeth II became the patron of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, although she had been involved with the Association since her Coronation in 1953. In 2024,King Charles III,Head of the Commonwealth became thepatron of the CPA.
The office ofChairperson of the CPA Executive Committee is held by Hon. Christopher Kalilia, MP of theNational Assembly of Zambia since November 2024.
Previous CPA Chairpersons have included:Ian Liddell-Grainger of theParliament of the United Kingdom (2021-2024),Emilia Monjowa Lifaka, Deputy Speaker of theNational Assembly of Cameroon (2017-2021);Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Speaker ofJatiyo Sangsad Bhaban ofBangladesh (2014–2017),[3] who succeededAlan Haselhurst (2011–2014), formerlyChairman of Ways and Means of theUK Parliament.
The position of CPA Vice-Chairperson is currently held by Hon.Carmel Sepuloni, MP, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Member of theNew Zealand Parliament.
Since August 2022, the CPA Treasurer isAnurag Sharma (politician), member of theParliament of India.
Since October 2025, the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians isCatherine Fife, MPP from theLegislative Assembly of Ontario, Canada. Previous CWP Chairpersons include:Zainab Gimba, MP from theHouse of Representatives (Nigeria);Shandana Gulzar Khan, MNA from theNational Assembly of Pakistan;Noraini Ahmad, MP from theParliament of Malaysia;Rebecca Kadaga, MP from theParliament of Uganda;Alix Boyd Knights,House of Assembly of Dominica;Kashmala Tariq,National Assembly of Pakistan;Lindiwe Maseko,Parliament of South Africa andGauteng Provincial Legislature.
Since November 2024, the Chairperson for the CPA Small Branches is Hon.Valerie Woods, Speaker of theHouse of Representatives of Belize. Previous CPA Small Branches Chairpersons include:Joy Burch, previously MLA andSpeaker of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly,Niki Rattle, former Speaker of theParliament of the Cook Islands andAngelo Farrugia, Speaker of theParliament of Malta.
Since August 2022, the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) isLaura Kanushu, MP from theParliament of Uganda. Previous CPwD Chairpersons includeDennitah Ghati, HSC from theNational Assembly (Kenya), andKevin Murphy (Canadian politician), formerSpeaker of the House of Assembly of Nova Scotia.
The CPA's 8th Secretary-General isStephen Twigg.[4] He was appointed in August 2020 for a four-year term and this was renewed in 2024 for another four years. Twigg was elected to theParliament of the United Kingdom as a Member of Parliament from 1997 to 2005 (Enfield Southgate) and from 2010 to 2019 (Liverpool West Derby). During his parliamentary career, he held several senior positions including chairing theInternational Development Select Committee, Minister for Schools and a range of Shadow Front Bench roles.
PreviousSecretaries-General have been:Karimulla Akbar Khan, UK/Guyanese Lawyer (2016-2019);William F. Shija, former Minister Tanzania Parliament (2007–2014);Denis Marshall, former Minister New Zealand Parliament (2002–2006);Arthur Donahoe, former Speaker Nova Scotia House of Assembly (1993–2001);David Tonkin, former Premier South Australia (1986–1992); Sir Robin Vandervelt fromSouth Africa (1961–1985); Sir Howard d’Egville (1949–1960).[5]
Members of the CPA are listed below. Bothnational andsubnational parliaments are included.
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