DR LUVENI LEADS PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TO COMMONWEALTH MEET
Global issues like climate change, refugee crisis and militancy will be discussed during the conference.
The 63rd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, one of the largest annual gatherings of Commonwealth parliamentarians is currently underway in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
The Fijian delegation is led by Speaker of Parliament Dr Jiko Luveni, FijiFirst member of parliament Matai Akauola, Prem Singh (Opposition) and parliament staff Senitieli Wainiu. Themed ‘Continuing to enhance the high standards of performance of parliamentarians’, the gathering will see the participation of over 600 foreign delegates.
Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina officially opened the three-day conference yesterday. Patron of the Commonwealth Parliament Association, Queen Elizabeth II’s message will be read out and a video message from the Commonwealth’s Secretary General Patricia Scotland will be screened when the conference proper starts today.
Mr Akauola is a speaker in the first session. He will be talking about the ‘Role of Male Parliamentarians in Championing Gender Equality.’ Dr Luveni will be speaking on the ‘Sustainable Development Goals: How can CPA members work with their own governments in ensuring that the SDG goals have a proper gender lens to ensure success in the areas of alleviating poverty and women’s empowerment’.
The conference this year is critical as CPA members will elect their new chairperson for a three-year term.
Global issues like climate change, refugee crisis and militancy will be discussed during the conference. Workshops will focus on the role of parliament in addressing challenges, in building stronger ties within the Commonwealth including new trade issues, visa issues, travel restrictions, non-tariff restriction.
There will also be workshops on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) during the programme.
The delegations will discuss how CPA members can work with their own governments to implement the SDG goals in the areas of poverty alleviation and women empowerment.
The CPA will also discuss the mechanisms for ensuring effective participation of youth in governance.
The delegations will discuss how CPA members can work with their own governments to implement the SDG goals.