From 30 September to 5 October 2024, Commonwealth Parliamentarians from across Africa met in Arusha, Tanzania to attend the 53rd Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Regional Conference on the theme of ‘African Parliaments at the forefront of addressing existential global challenges: food, insecurity, climate change and youth unemployment.’ 

The main programme included workshops examining the climate change preparedness of African countries, renewable energy, electoral system reform, how to tackle youth unemployment through the education system and the contribution of women in Parliaments.  

Over 280 Parliamentarians and Parliamentary staff from across the Region were in attendance, including 10 Speakers of African National Assemblies. 

In his opening address the Vice-President of Tanzania, Hon. Dr Philip Mpango, urged Legislators to take immediate action to address existential global problems: 

“I would like to stress that addressing the global challenges of food insecurity, climate crisis, and youth unemployment requires collective action of all stakeholders. Importantly, it also requires sustained peace in Africa. In this regard, African Parliaments are uniquely positioned to spearhead this drive through effective legislation and oversight.  

Let us seize the opportunity offered by this Conference to exchange best practices and countries’ experiences on tackling these global challenges more effectively, alongside greater resolve to end conflicts and silence the guns in Africa.” 

He also said that African Parliamentarians are key to tackling global challenges including promoting human rights, democracy and the rule of law and added that Parliaments are one of the key strengths of democracies in the Commonwealth. 

The Speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania, Hon. Dr Tulia Ackson, who is also the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), welcomed delegates and said that the CPA is an important platform to promote gender equality, human rights and good governance. She also encouraged African Parliaments to work together for the empowerment of their citizens.

The current Chairperson of the CPA Africa Region, Rt Hon. Catherine Gotani Hara, MP, Speaker of the Parliament of Malawi, said: 

“Food insecurity continues to affect millions in Africa, exacerbated by climate change, conflict and poor agricultural investment. Parliaments must lead in shaping policies for sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems.” 

Other guest speakers included the President of the CPA Africa Region, Hon. Segepoh Thomas Solomon, Speaker of the Parliament of Sierra Leone; the Acting CPA International Chairperson, Hon. Arthur Holder, MP, SC, Speaker of the Barbados House of Assembly; Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, MP (Ghana), Senior Member of the CPA Africa Regional Executive Committee; and the CPA Africa Regional Secretary, Baraka Ildephonce Leonard, who is also the Clerk of the Parliament of Tanzania. 

The CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg and CPA Deputy Secretary-General, Jarvis Matiya also attended the Conference. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the CPA Secretary-General said:  

“This year, progress has been made, with a Bill in the UK Parliament addressing CPA status expected to receive final approval in 2025. This new international status will allow Commonwealth Parliaments to have a stronger voice in global bodies, including the United Nations. Next year, the CPA will begin consultations on its Strategic Plan for 2026-2030, its first under the new legal status. I invite participation in this process and look forward to the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference taking place in Sydney, New South Wales this November.” 

The Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Africa Region and the African Region of the Society of Clerks-at-the-Table (SoCATT) in Commonwealth Parliaments also held meetings in the margins of the Regional Conference.   

The CPA Africa Region is one of nine CPA Regions across the Commonwealth, and it comprises 63 national and subnational Legislatures. The CPA Africa Regional Secretariat is based in the Parliament of Tanzania.

• The 54th CPA Africa Regional Conference will be hosted by the National Assembly of The Gambia in 2025 and the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta was elected as CPA Africa Regional President.

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The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association connects, develops, promotes and supports Parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and the implementation of the enduring values of the Commonwealth. The CPA is an international community of around 180 Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance.

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