Press Release
Press Release from Sikkim Legislative Assembly Secretariat
Information & Public Relations Department
The Hon’ble Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly Shri Mingma Norbu Sherpa, and the Hon’ble Deputy Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly Smt. Raj Kumari Thapa, accompanied by the senior officers of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, attended the General Assembly of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) on 17th September, 2026, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town, South Africa.
The General Assembly was presided over by the CPA President, Hon. Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces of South Africa.
The 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference brought together Members from over 100 CPA Branches, including 50 CPA Small Branches, providing a platform for parliamentary dialogue, cooperation and the exchange of experiences on matters of
common interest across the Commonwealth.
A key highlight of the General Assembly was the topical debate on “New Leadership Opportunities for the Commonwealth: Parliamentary Action to Strengthen Democracy and International Law. ”The debate featured presentations by representatives from various CPA Branches, including Canada Federal, India, New South Wales, Botswana, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, Fiji, Bermuda, Singapore, Guernsey, Sindh, Jersey, British Columbia, the Isle of Man, Malta, Cyprus and Kenya.
Shri Harivansh, Hon’ble Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Parliament of India, who also headed the Indian delegation to the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, delivered his address sharing perspectives on parliamentary leadership, democracy and international cooperation.
The General Assembly also received updates on the progress towards securing a new legal status for the CPA, akin to that of an international interparliamentary organisation, following the passage of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Act 2025 by the UK Parliament.
Delegates were further briefed on the progress of the UK Government’s secondary legislation, structural changes within the CPA and the establishment of the CPA Charitable Funds (CPACF).
The Assembly approved the CPA Annual Report for 2025, including the audited Financial Statements, the CPA Membership Report, the CPA Budgets and Financial Management Reports. It also endorsed reports from the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) and CPA Small Branches.
The first Green Mace Awards were also presented during the 2026 CPA General Assembly, recognising parliamentary commitment to environmental sustainability and excellence.
It was further announced that the 70th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference would be hosted in 2027 by the CPA Canada Federal Branch and the Parliament of Canada.
At the conclusion of the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, the CPA President, Hon. Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, and the Speaker of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Hon. Morakane Mosupyoe, MPL, were presented with commemorative silver salvers by the CPA Chairperson, Hon. Dr Christopher Kalila, MP (Zambia), and the CPA Secretary-General, Mr Stephen Twigg, in appreciation of the CPA South Africa Branch’s efforts in hosting the conference.
The CPA Sikkim Delegation have attended workshops on the following topics:
“Parliamentary Leadership in Promoting Climate Adaptation and Resilience”; “Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Parliaments: Current Applications, Prospects and Implementation Strategies”; “Protecting Human Rights and Promoting Peace: The Role of Parliaments”; and “Post-Legislative Scrutiny: Connecting Parliament with the Public” on 16th September, 2026.
The participation in the conference and its associated workshops provided a valuable
opportunity to engage with parliamentary representatives from across the Commonwealth and exchange perspectives on contemporary parliamentary and democratic practices.
The General Assembly was presided over by the CPA President, Hon. Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces of South Africa.
The 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference brought together Members from over 100 CPA Branches, including 50 CPA Small Branches, providing a platform for parliamentary dialogue, cooperation and the exchange of experiences on matters of
common interest across the Commonwealth.
A key highlight of the General Assembly was the topical debate on “New Leadership Opportunities for the Commonwealth: Parliamentary Action to Strengthen Democracy and International Law. ”The debate featured presentations by representatives from various CPA Branches, including Canada Federal, India, New South Wales, Botswana, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, Fiji, Bermuda, Singapore, Guernsey, Sindh, Jersey, British Columbia, the Isle of Man, Malta, Cyprus and Kenya.
Shri Harivansh, Hon’ble Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Parliament of India, who also headed the Indian delegation to the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, delivered his address sharing perspectives on parliamentary leadership, democracy and international cooperation.
The General Assembly also received updates on the progress towards securing a new legal status for the CPA, akin to that of an international interparliamentary organisation, following the passage of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Act 2025 by the UK Parliament.
Delegates were further briefed on the progress of the UK Government’s secondary legislation, structural changes within the CPA and the establishment of the CPA Charitable Funds (CPACF).
The Assembly approved the CPA Annual Report for 2025, including the audited Financial Statements, the CPA Membership Report, the CPA Budgets and Financial Management Reports. It also endorsed reports from the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) and CPA Small Branches.
The first Green Mace Awards were also presented during the 2026 CPA General Assembly, recognising parliamentary commitment to environmental sustainability and excellence.
It was further announced that the 70th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference would be hosted in 2027 by the CPA Canada Federal Branch and the Parliament of Canada.
At the conclusion of the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, the CPA President, Hon. Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, and the Speaker of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Hon. Morakane Mosupyoe, MPL, were presented with commemorative silver salvers by the CPA Chairperson, Hon. Dr Christopher Kalila, MP (Zambia), and the CPA Secretary-General, Mr Stephen Twigg, in appreciation of the CPA South Africa Branch’s efforts in hosting the conference.
The CPA Sikkim Delegation have attended workshops on the following topics:
“Parliamentary Leadership in Promoting Climate Adaptation and Resilience”; “Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Parliaments: Current Applications, Prospects and Implementation Strategies”; “Protecting Human Rights and Promoting Peace: The Role of Parliaments”; and “Post-Legislative Scrutiny: Connecting Parliament with the Public” on 16th September, 2026.
The participation in the conference and its associated workshops provided a valuable
opportunity to engage with parliamentary representatives from across the Commonwealth and exchange perspectives on contemporary parliamentary and democratic practices.
