From 6 to 10 February 2025, Commonwealth Parliamentarians from across the Asia and South-East Asia Regions met in Lahore, Pakistan to attend the first joint Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Asia and South-East Asia Regional Conference. The event was hosted by the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab, Pakistan on the theme of ‘Parliamentary Strategies for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Futures in Asia and South-East Asia.’ 

Prior to the Conference, two joint CPA Asia and CPA South-East Asia meetings took place between the Regional Branch Secretaries and the Regional Executive Committee. The main programme of the Regional Conference included workshops examining the regulation of Artificial Intelligence and social media, strengthening local governance, creating climate change resilient cities and inclusive social development through healthcare and education. 

Over 100 Parliamentarians and Parliamentary staff from across the two CPA Regions were in attendance, including the Speakers of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, the National Assembly of Pakistan, the Provincial Assemblies of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh and the Malaysian Legislative Assemblies of Johor, Kelantan, Pahang, Perak, Selangor and Terengganu. The Deputy Speakers of the Parliament of the Maldives, the Legislative Assembly of Penang and the Legislative Assembly of Sarawak, as well as Members of the Parliament of Malaysia were also present. 

Observers present at the Conference included the Senior Deputy Speaker of the UK House of Commons, Hon. Nusrat Ghani, MP, who presented on legislation and inclusive development, as well as delegations from the Assemblies of Azzad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. The Chairperson of the CPA Executive Committee, Hon. Dr Christopher Kalila, MP (Zambia) was in attendance, making this CPA Regional Conference his first official visit since being elected as CPA Chairperson at the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in November 2024. 

In his speech during the opening Plenary Session, the CPA Chairperson praised the joint Regional Conference as a “much-needed step for regional parliamentary engagement” and commented:  

“One of the most pertinent issues for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association over the past few years has been the issue of our legal status. Now that the CPA Bill has received Royal Assent all that remains is secondary legislation. For the CPA, the future is bright.” 

The guest of honour at the opening ceremony was the Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Hon. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, who said: 

“Three of the most pressing issues facing states today are populism, polarisation and elite capture. I call on Parliamentarians to tackle these issues through fostering peace, prosperity and people’s rule.” 

The Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Hon. Dr Jagath Wickramaratne, noted that: 

“The world faces complex problems: poverty, security threats and global corruption. These interconnected challenges must be tackled with bravery, ethical governance practices and cross-border collaboration.” 

The CPA Deputy Secretary-General Jarvis Matiya attended the Regional Conference and outlined the recent activities such as the progress of the CPA Status Bill in the UK Parliament, the launch of the CPA Environmental Impact Fund and the consultation on the CPA’s next Strategic Plan.

At the closing ceremony, the guest of honour, Acting President of Pakistan, H.E. Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani, said:

“This CPA Regional Conference has not only fostered dialogue but laid the groundwork for legislative actions and concrete steps to promote inclusivity and sustainability.”  

The CPA Regional Conference was closed by the Speaker of the Punjab Provincial Assembly, Hon. Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, with the adoption of the Lahore Charter by delegates committing to democratic accountability and sustainable and inclusive Legislatures.  

The Punjab Speaker previously wrote about these themes in an article for The Parliamentarian ahead of the Regional Conference which you can read here.

The CPA Asia and CPA South-East Asia Regions are two of the nine CPA Regions across the Commonwealth. The Asia Region comprises four national and four subnational Legislatures, and the South-East Asia Region comprises two national and thirteen subnational Legislatures. 

Prior to the Conference, two joint CPA Asia and CPA South-East Asia meetings took place between the Regional Branch Secretaries and the Regional Executive Committee.   

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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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