A six-member Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK (CPA UK) delegation of members and officials from the UK Houses of Parliament, visited Barbados from February 17-18. The group also visited Grenada.
The visit was organised in partnership with the Parliament of Barbados and the British High Commission Bridgetown.
Their programme of meetings and visits addressed topical issues such as international trade, security, climate change and disaster resilience. During their time in Barbados, the delegation met with key parliamentary stakeholders, officials and leading civil society members.
Lord Mann of Holbeck Moor, on behalf of the delegation, said: “It was an incredible experience to visit Barbados and Grenada as part of a cross-party delegation. We touched on a range of issues, including trade, climate change and the fight against crime, all of which are important issues for both the UK and the region. Strengthening our economic, environmental and security partnerships will be of benefit to both sides. The delegation enjoyed meeting with Ministers and Parliamentarians, and I hope our valued relationship with the Eastern Caribbean will be further strengthened by this visit.’’
British High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Janet Douglas said: “To have Parliamentarians from the UK come to hear first-hand about the experiences of fellow Commonwealth members was very valuable. The visiting British delegation will be able to take home constructive ideas for joint activity which will contribute to our strong relationship with Barbados.”
In the last few years, CPA UK has regularly engaged with the Parliament of Barbados and the Parliament of Grenada on a multilateral basis.
Parliamentarians from both countries attend CPA UK’s annual Westminster Seminar on Parliamentary Practice and Procedure in London, and there has been collaboration through projects such as the International Parliamentary Project on Sustainability, Energy and Development. In January 2020, both parliaments participated in a workshop on Public Accounts Committees hosted in Port of Spain in Trinidad.
This bilateral visit to the region was the first CPA UK visit in several years. The programme provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen relations with the region, particularly on areas such as trade, climate change, security and social issues.
CPA UK supports and strengthens parliamentary democracy throughout the Commonwealth. It focuses on key issues including women in parliament, modern slavery, financial oversight, security and trade.
Peer to peer learning is central to the way CPA UK works. CPA UK brings together UK and Commonwealth parliamentarians and officials, to share knowledge and learn from each other. It aims to improve parliamentary oversight, scrutiny and representation. CPA UK is located in, and funded by, the UK Parliament.
