49 Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference
Bangladesh

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is a unique Association of Commonwealth Parliamentarians who, irrespective of gender, race religion or culture, are united by community of interest, respect for the rule of law, individual rights and freedoms, and by pursuit of the positive ideals of parliamentary democracy.

The aims of the Association are to promote knowledge and understanding of the constitutional, legislative, economic, social and cultural systems within a parliamentary democratic framework. It undertakes this mission with particular reference to the countries of the Commonwealth of Nations and to countries having close historical and parliamentary associations with it.

The association also serves to provide forum for regular consultation among members of Commonwealth Parliaments. It fosters co-operation and understanding among members and promotes the study of and respect for Parliament. Its role has been endorsed by Commonwealth Parliaments and Heads of Government.

The CPA pursues these objectives by means of :

• Annual Commonwealth Parliamentary conferences, regional conference and other symposiums;

• Inter parliamentary visits;

• Parliamentary Seminars and workshops;

• Publications, notably The parliamentarian and two newsletters on CPA activities on Parliamentary and political events; and

• Parliamentary Information and Reference Centre communications.

History

The CPA was founded in 1911 as the Empire Parliamentary Association. Its affairs were administered by the United Kingdom Branch. In 1948, CPA adopted its present name, changed its rules to enable all member Branches to participate in the Association’s management and established a separate secretariat to manage its affairs.

In 1989, the CPA created the Constitutional posts of Patron and Vice-Patron. Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth ll, as Head of the Commonwealth, consented to become Patron. The Vice-Patron is normally the Head of state or government of the Branch hosting each year’s plenary conference. 

Today there are 183 Association Branches in national, state, provincial and territorial Parliaments. The Association now boasts a total membership of approximately 15,000 Parliamentarians.

The last ten years have seen dramatic developments in the Commonwealth. The Harare Declaration of 1991 set the agenda for these years, putting the emphasis firmly on human rights and good governance as fundamental principals of the Commonwealth. The CPA’s work thus, moved into the foreground, its role crucial to the implementation of that agenda.

CPA Conference

Global political issues and developments in the Parliamentary system are analyzed in conference debates among leading Parliamentarians representing Parliaments and Legislatures throughout the commonwealth. A summary of the main views expressed in the conference debates is sent to Members, commonwealth Governments and international agencies.

CPA Conference in Bangladesh, 2003 

Bangladesh is an active member of CPA from 1973 and the parliamentarians of Bangladesh have been attending the CPA Plenary Conference since the Parliament of Bangladesh became a member of the CPA.

At its 48th Conference in Windhoek, Namibia in September 2002, the Association decided that the 49th CPA Conference will be held in Bangladesh in 2003. As per CPA Constitution, the Executive Committee appointed H.E. Begum Khalada Zia, Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh as Vice-Patron of the Association for the period of 2003. The Hon. Speaker of Bangladesh Parliament Barrister Muhammad Jamiruddin Sircar, MP, elected (on a nomination) as President of the Association for 2003. Thus making him honorary Head of the Association over a period of one year.

CPA previous Conferences :

Bangladesh Branch is hosting the 49th Plenary Conference this year. The next Plenary Conference will be held in Canada in 2004.