CAPE TOWN (17 September 2026): During the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) in South Africa, Commonwealth Parliamentarians attended the 2026 CPA General Assembly on 17 September 2026.
The CPA General Assembly was presided over by the CPA President (2026), Hon. Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, Chairperson of National Council of Provinces of South Africa and was attended by Members from over 100 CPA Branches.
The CPA General Assembly, the Association’s supreme authority, is constituted by delegates to the annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference.
The CPA General Assembly also included a topical debate on ‘New Leadership Opportunities for the Commonwealth: Parliamentary Action to Strengthen Democracy and International Law’ with presenters from CPA Branches including Canada Federal; India; New South Wales; Botswana; United Kingdom; Pakistan; Fiji; Bermuda; Singapore; Guernsey; Sindh; Jersey; British Columbia; Isle of Man; Malta; Cyprus, Kenya.
During the 2026 CPA General Assembly, some of the key decisions and outcomes were:
- Delegates were updated on the progress of the new legal status akin to an international, interparliamentary organisation following the UK Parliament passing the ‘Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Act 2025’ and progress on the UK Government’s secondary legislation.
- Delegates were also updated on changes to the CPA’s structural changes and the creation of the CPA Charitable Funds (CPACF).
- Delegates approved the 2025 CPA Annual Report (including the audited Financial Statements), the CPA Membership Report, the CPA Budgets and Financial Management Reports.
- Delegates endorsed reports from the three CPA networks – the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) and the CPA Small Branches.
The first Green Mace awards were also presented at the 2026 CPA General Assembly recognising Parliaments commitment to environmental and sustainability excellence. Read about this year’s award winners.
Delegates also looked ahead to the next Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference – the 70th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (#70CPC) to be hosted by the CPA Canada Federal Branch and Parliament of Canada in 2027, following their approval as the next host Branch.
A special video message from the Presiding Officers of the Parliament of Canada and Joint CPA Canada Federal Branch Presidents – Senator Hon. Raymonde Gagné, CM, OM, Speaker of the Canadian Senate and Hon. Francis Scarpaleggia, MP, Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons – was introduced by the CPA Canada Federal Branch Chairperson, Hon. Alexandra Mendès, MP, Assistant Deputy Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons.
Recognition for 69th CPC host Branch of South Africa
At the conclusion of the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (#69CPC), the CPA President (2026), Hon. Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, Chairperson of National Council of Provinces of South Africa and Hon. Morakane Mosupyoe, MPL, Speaker of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature were presented with a commemorative silver salver by the CPA Chairperson, Hon. Dr Christopher Kalila, MP (Zambia) and the CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg to thank the CPA South Africa Branch for the hosting of the conference.
