From 18 to 19 February 2025, the CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg visited the Northern Ireland Assembly in Belfast to celebrate the 50th meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Northern Ireland Branch. 

The visit began with a courtesy call to the President of the CPA Northern Ireland Branch, Hon. Edwin Poots, MLA, Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly. 

The CPA Secretary-General then met with Lesley Hogg, the Northern Ireland Assembly Clerk/Chief Executive; Hon. Jonathan Buckley, MLA, Chair of the CPA Northern Ireland Branch and Stephanie Mallon, the CPA Northern Ireland Branch Secretary. 

The CPA Secretary-General said: 

“I’m delighted to be able to visit the Northern Ireland Assembly and to take part in their celebration event ahead of Commonwealth Day. I look forward to continuing to work with the CPA Northern Ireland Branch on issues of good governance and democratic best practice.”

The 50th meeting of the CPA Northern Ireland Executive Committee took place on 18 February 2025. The Executive Committee is chaired by Jonathan Buckley, MLA. It consists of MLAs including Hon. Steve Aiken, Hon. Keith Buchanan, Hon. Trevor Clarke, Hon. Stewart Dickson, Hon. Paul Frew and Hon. Michelle McIlveen. 

As part of the visit, the CPA Secretary-General visited Botanic Primary School, where he met with pupils and answered their questions about the Commonwealth. He then visited Campbell College Secondary School, where he learnt about students' concerns and the Commonwealth's relevance to them. 

The CPA Northern Ireland Branch was initially established on 1 January 1924. After a period of absence, the Branch was re-established on 1 January 2007. 

In 2021 the Northern Ireland Assembly hosted the CPA British Islands and Mediterranean Regional Conference, which also marked the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the CPA Region. You can read about that CPA Regional Conference here: news story and article in The Parliamentarian.

-ENDS- 

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is an international community of 180 Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance. Founded in 1911, the CPA brings together Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and implement the enduring values of the Commonwealth. It offers a vast opportunity for Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff to collaborate on issues of mutual interest and to share good practice.