The House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands (VI) took part in the Forty-sixth Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana from September 1 to 7, 2024. Photo: Parliament of Guyana

Representing the Virgin Islands’ House of Assembly at the Forty-sixth Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana were Honourable Marlon A. Penn (right) and Deputy Clerk Mr. Linton V. Leonard (left). Photo: Parliament of Guyana

In his keynote address, President of Guyana, Honourable Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali gave the keynote address at the Forty-sixth Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana from September 1 to 7, 2024, which saw over 60 delegates in attendance. Photo: Parliament of Guyana

The conference which took place from September 1 to 7, 2024 saw the participation of Parliaments from the Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Secretariat under the theme ‘Democracy: Challenges facing modern Parliament’.

Hon. Penn & Deputy Clerk represented VI

Speakers and Members of Parliament from across the region along with guest delegates and observers from across the Commonwealth attended the weeklong conference.

Representing the VI’s House of Assembly were Honourable Marlon A. Penn and Deputy Clerk Mr. Linton V. Leonard.

Pressing regional matters discussed

The Annual General Meeting of the Association took place at the conference. Other events included the Fourteenth Conference of Women Parliamentarians and the Seventeenth Regional Youth Parliament.

Pressing issues facing the wider region were also the focus of the conference to include peace and security, migration and the impact of Artificial Intelligence.

During their opening speeches, leaders underscored the democratic challenges faced by jurisdictions in the Region and urged delegates to use the topics selected for discussion to take workable solutions and best practice back to their own Parliaments.

In his keynote address, President of Guyana, Honourable Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali said, “Democracy thrives in an environment where diverse voices are heard and where differences are respected. In our increasingly polarised world, it is more important than ever that we promote dialogue and understanding, both within our parliaments and within our societies.”

The Caribbean, Americas and the Atlantic (CAA) Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association includes 19 Legislatures, including national Parliaments and subnational and territorial Legislatures. The CPA Caribbean, Americas and the Atlantic Regional Secretariat is currently based in the Guyana Parliament.