As hundreds of Commonwealth parliamentarians gather in Cape Town for the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC), legislators will discuss urgent global challenges and exchange ideas and best practices on issues relating to youth, women, climate change and artificial intelligence. This is an extract from the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Mr Stephen Twigg’s opinion piece explaining the significance of the Conference.
The Conference comes at a critical time. As conflicts increase and mediation and peacebuilding efforts stall, global cooperation is vital. In response, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) has established a Committee on Human Rights and Peace, bringing together representatives from its nine regions to debate these issues and act collectively. Parliamentarians have a particular responsibility to defend international law, which makes this year’s conference theme, “Strengthening International Law and Parliamentary Democracy in a Changing World Order: Commonwealth Leadership”, especially timely.
Democracies worldwide also face economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, technological disruption, disinformation and declining public trust. Parliamentarians must ensure that their governments act by scrutinising their work, safeguarding public funds, protecting democratic principles and providing a platform for citizens’ voices.
International cooperation is essential because many of these challenges transcend national borders. Climate change, migration, economic insecurity, cyber threats and artificial intelligence affect countries across continents, and no Parliament can address them alone. The Commonwealth provides a unique platform where countries of different sizes and circumstances can learn from one another and strengthen democratic institutions.
Democracies must also become genuinely inclusive. The CPA’s work includes advancing disability rights, supporting legislatures to enshrine those rights in law and ensuring that persons with disabilities can participate fully in public life. Enabling women to play their full part in public life is another priority, while the CPA’s networks work to ensure that political institutions better reflect the communities they serve. Young people must also be actively involved in decisions shaping their lives, and that is why they are involved in this week’s discussions. Around 60% of the Commonwealth’s 2.7 billion people are under 30, and they expect democratic institutions to respond to concerns about jobs, education, housing, technological change and climate resilience.
South Africa’s constitutional commitment to equality, human dignity and representation makes the country and Cape Town a fitting venue. Three decades into constitutional democracy, South Africa remains an important democratic voice in the Global South. Its Parliament stands as a symbol of national transformation and of the belief that democratic institutions can confront difficult histories while helping societies build a more inclusive future together.
I hope delegates leave the 69th CPC with fresh ideas, stronger relationships and renewed determination to serve the people who elected them.
*Read the Secretary-General’s full opinion piece here: https://www.cpahq.org/69-cpc/cpc-news/
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