Cape Town : The 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) gets underway today, with the conference set to bring together parliamentarians and parliamentary officials from across the Commonwealth to discuss key issues affecting parliaments and the citizens they represent.
Kicking off on Sunday, 13 September, the conference is being held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) in the Western Cape.
“The Parliament of the Republic of South Africa and the South Africa Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association will host the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 13 to 19 September 2026,” Parliament said in an advisory ahead of the start of the conference.
Organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), the conference will be held under the theme: “Strengthening International Law and Parliamentary Democracy in a Changing World Order: Commonwealth Leadership.”
According to Parliament, the conference that will will convene Speakers of Parliament, Members of Parliament, parliamentary officials and governance experts from the CPA’s nine geographical regions: Africa, Asia, Australia, the British Islands and the Mediterranean, Canada, the Caribbean, the Americas and the Atlantic, India, and South Asia.
Established in 1911, the CPA is an international organisation dedicated to advancing parliamentary democracy, good governance and cooperation among Commonwealth legislatures by strengthening institutional capacity, promoting knowledge-sharing and fostering collaboration.
“Hosting the 69th CPC represents an important milestone for South Africa’s Parliament and reinforces the country’s commitment to parliamentary diplomacy and multilateral engagement. The conference will provide a platform for high-level dialogue on global governance, democracy, international law and sustainable development, while showcasing Parliament’s constitutional role and South Africa’s contribution to strengthening democratic institutions across the Commonwealth,” it said.
The conference comes as Pretoria emphasizes its role in multilateral forums. On September 10, Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted multilateral reform at the BRICS summit in New Delhi.
The conference programme will include a range of high-level meetings, workshops and specialised forums aimed at promoting inclusive, effective and responsive parliamentary governance.
Monday’s programme at the conference includes the CPA Small Branches Conference, Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Conference and the Official Opening Ceremony of the 69th CPC, which will take place from 5:30 pm.
