CPA Parliamentary Academy
66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference

CPC Workshop C: What does sustainable trade and economic development mean for small jurisdictions?

About the Workshop

CPC Workshop C: What does sustainable trade and economic development mean for small jurisdictions?

This workshop on What Does Sustainable Trade and Economic Development Mean for Small Jurisdictions will explore the challenges and opportunities that small jurisdictions face in promoting sustainable economic growth through international trade.

Presenters in the session will discuss the concept of sustainable trade and its relevance to small jurisdictions, exploring the role of trade in promoting economic development, reducing poverty, and enhancing social and environmental well-being.  

The workshop will also examine the unique challenges that small jurisdictions face in accessing global markets, including issues related to market access, infrastructure and regulatory barriers.

Finally, delegates will explore best practices and strategies for promoting sustainable trade and economic development in small jurisdictions, drawing on examples from around the world and sharing insights and perspectives on building more resilient and inclusive economies. By the end of the session, attendees will have a deeper understanding of the importance of sustainable trade for small jurisdictions and a set of practical tools and approaches for promoting sustainable economic growth in their own jurisdictions.

This workshop will take place at 11:00-13:00 on Wednesday 4th October.

Panellists

CPC Workshop C: What does sustainable trade and economic development mean for small jurisdictions?
Chair: Dwight Anthony Sibblies, Member of Parliament (Jamaica)

Dwight Sibblies MP, is serving his first term as a Member of Parliament for Clarendon Northern, representing the Jamaica Labour Party, after his victory in the 2020 General Election. MP Sibblies currently serves on the following Parliamentary Committees: Infrastructure and Physical Development Public Accounts Public Administration and Appropriations Standing Orders Profession: Chartered Accountant and Attorney-at-Law. Civic Activities: Served as a board member of the Women’s Centre Foundation of Jamaica. Education: University of Technology, Jamaica, and Norman Manley Law School.

Hon. Sashi Kiran, MP, Member of Parliament (Fiji)
Hon. Sashi Kiran MP, an esteemed member of the Parliament of Fiji, serves as the Assistant Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection. As Founder and former CEO of the Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises and Development, she pioneered socio-economic and health empowerment programs that uplifted disadvantaged communities. Her influence transcends borders, with roles on global civil society boards, including CIVICUS, and as an advocate for disaster risk reduction and basic education.
She is passionate about climate change mitigation, champions regenerative agriculture, and chairs the Pacific Organic Ethical Trade Community. Furthermore, she also serves on the University of Exeter’s Global Community Food and Health Project Advisory Committee. Currently, Hon. Kiran serves on two Parliamentary Standing Committees on Economic and Social Affairs.
Hon. Carmelo Abela, MP, Member of Parliament (Malta)

Hon. Carmelo Abela MP, is a distinguished Member of Parliament for the Partit Laburista (Labour Party) of Malta. He has previously served in several key government positions, including Minister for Home Affairs and National Security, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion, and Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, for Prime Minister Robert Abela.

He was first elected in 1996 and has since been elected in 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2017. Furthermore, he was elected as Deputy Speaker of the Tenth Parliamentary Legislature on 6 March 2003 and re-appointed on 5 October 2008, resigning as Deputy Speaker on 5 July 2010. He has also served as Government Whip in the House of Representatives from March 2013 until January 2015.  Hon. Abela served for three years on the Executive Committee of the CPA and participated in a number of regional and other Commonwealth Conferences, including when Malta was Chair in Office following the 2015 CHOGM held in Malta.

Hon. Amie Colley, MP, Member of Parliament (The Gambia)

Amie Colley MP, is a Gambian by birth, born on 10th October 1985 in Kanjabina village in the Fom Berefet District West Coast Region. She is married and residing with her husband in Somita village in the said district.

She attended Somita Primary School up to grade six and then continued to Ndemban Upper Basic School, where she sat the Basic Education Certificate Examination. Furthermore, she proceeded to Fatima Technical Senior Secondary School, where she sat the West African Senior School Examination (WASSCE) During the period under review of her education status to uphold the position of Head at Ndemban Upper and Assistant Head at Fatima Senior School.

Later, she went to Songhai Center (Rep of Benin) and completed a six-month training program on food processing, Agroforestry, Animal Husbandry, Market Garden, and Handicraft She also obtained Higher National Diploma (HND) In Agriculture at the Gambia Collage. School of Agriculture.

In addition, with her vast competence and skills conducted a series of Argo Entrepreneurship training in collaboration with National Enterprise Development Initiative (NEDI), Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammcnarbelt (GIZ), and Fonl Ding Ding Federation on food processing and market gardening for women and youth. She has worked with the Department of Agriculture as an Extension worker and has five years of working experience.

Workshop Recommendation

CPC Workshop C: What does sustainable trade and economic development mean for small jurisdictions?

The delegates at the workshop unanimously endorsed that:

  • The Commonwealth’s Parliaments in the smallest jurisdictions should collaborate to promote fair and sustainable international trade.

Workshop Resources

CPC Workshop C: What does sustainable trade and economic development mean for small jurisdictions?

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