Northern Ireland Assembly Branch of the CPA

This week, #Commonwealth Speakers & MPs are attending 54th @CPA_BIMR Regional Conference hosted by @SeneddWales🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 in Cardiff 13 Parliaments will focus on themes of digital technology & AI, mental health, Youth Parliaments & political participation for persons with disabilities

The 54th BIMR Conference has started. Many thanks to our hosts in Cardiff, CPA Senedd Branch. The AGM is this afternoon, and tomorrow we’ll be launching our BIMR LGBT+ Network . Look out for the new logo.

Executive Committee Members Paul Frew MLA, Steve Aiken MLA, Michelle McIlveen MLA, and Jonathan Buckley MLA are in Cardiff @SeneddWales to participate in the 54th BIMR (British Islands & Mediterranean Region) Conference. The theme is 'Addressing the needs of a modern parliament'.

We were delighted to virtually welcome Kate Osamor MP, Chair of the @CPA_UK Branch and Helen Haywood, Deputy Chief Executive of CPA UK to our Branch meeting today. Discussions included an overview of the work of CPA UK and how we can work more closely together in the future.

Proud to see members of the @NIYouthAssembly virtually join the 11th Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians conference today and represent the views of young people. Thanks to our YAMs who delivered top 10 ways to encourage more young women to go into politics. #WomenInPolitics

An inspiring start to the 11th Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians BIMR Conference @ScotParl @MMcIlveenDUP & @ClaireSugden are representing @niassembly @NIAWomensCaucus by joining women parliamentarians from across the globe to discuss challenges & progress of #WomenInPolitics

“Marking #CommonwealthDay with a vibrant celebration was a fitting way to reflect this year’s theme, ‘Together we Thrive.’ “The performances showcased the values connecting Commonwealth nations. We look forward to continuing our engagement with the @CPA_Secretariat network.”

.@JBuckleyMLA , Chair of the @NIA_CPA Branch, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Secretary-General Stephen Twigg to the Northern Ireland Assembly for this milestone 50th meeting of our Branch underscored the importance of international collaboration in strengthening democracy.

The @niassembly Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association recently held its 50th, followed by an event to mark #CommonwealthDay. The Executive Committee of the NI branch of the @CPA_Secretariat were joined by Secretary-General of the CPA, Mr Stephen Twigg.

Our monthly Executive Committee meeting took place today in Parliament Buildings. Committee Members discussed future plans, training opportunities, and strategy building. Pictured are (L-R): @stewartcdickson @paulfrewDUP @MMcIlveenDUP @JBuckleyMLA @SteveAikenUUP @Buchanan_dup

We were delighted to hold our first Executive Committee meeting today. During the meeting we discussed future plans for the NIA Branch, and reflected on the excellent work of the previous Committee. L-R: @stewartcdickson @Buchanan_dup @JBuckleyMLA @MMcIlveenDUP @paulfrewDUP

Pictured at the event are (l-r): Dr Christopher Stange, Consul General for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Caroline Keenan, Honorary Consul for New Zealand; the @niassembly Speaker, Edwin Poots MLA; and Paul Campbell, Honorary Consul of The Republic of Seychelles.

To mark #CommonwealthDay the Speaker hosted an event for local representatives of Commonwealth countries. CPA NI Branch members also attended and engaged in discussions on how links between the Assembly and the countries represented could be further developed and strengthened.

The Commonwealth Speakers' Summit brought together many Speakers, High Commissioners and representatives from across the Commonwealth to the House of Commons to mark the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth's inception.

Pictured after the recent AGM for the Northern Ireland Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association are: (L-R) newly elected Branch Chairperson Jonathan Buckley MLA alongside @niassembly Speaker and Branch President Edwin Poots MLA. #CommonwealthDay

Our new Chairperson @JBuckleyMLA tells us what the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association does and why he's looking forward to continuing the work of the Northern Ireland Branch. #CommonwealthDay @CPA_UK #Commonwealth

Following today's AGM, we are delighted to announce the election of our new Chair and Executive Committee Members. Congratulations to Chairperson @JBuckleyMLA and Committee Members @MMcIlveenDUP @SteveAikenUUP @stewartcdickson @paulfrewDUP @trevorclarkeMLA @Buchanan_dup

Following the announcement of the death of Her Majesty The Queen, the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly said: “It is with sadness that I have learned of the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

A few photographs from our event to mark #CommonwealthDay2022 It was great to finally get together in person this year to enjoy musical and dance performances @artsektaNI @magwere_gmai and to celebrate with our friends from across the Commonwealth.