From the 7th to the 12th of March 2024, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Gervais Henrie represented Seychelles at the 86th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region Executive Committee Meeting, held in Entebbe, Uganda.
The twice annual meeting, hosted this year by the Parliament of Uganda, delved into a range of topics including the future of CPA, its legal status, its headquarters, the role of young people in the development of the African continent, the need for increased sensitisation on gender-based issues, the calendar of CPA activities, and the activities of both host and regional branches. In attendance was 17 out of the 19 total CPA Africa Regional Representatives. Seychelles was given an honourable mention during the meeting for the practice of regularising its membership financial obligation to the organisation and acting as a key player.
Hon. Henrie remarked that “Seychelles is a key partner and contributor in this important regional body. Our successes as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), and an Oceanic State, gives us space to add other opportunities or avenues that the organisation can explore in the future”.
The aim of CPA Africa is to promote and protect the interests and varying perspectives of the regional parliaments and countries of the Commonwealth and beyond, as well as the promotion of gender equality, the emancipation of women, the respect for human rights, freedoms and democracy, and the promotion of good governance. The next CPA Africa Region event is the Annual General Meeting (AGM), to be held in South Africa this coming August.
