Mauritius is hosting the 2018 mid-year meeting of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) from 22 to 23 March. The meeting opened this morning at the Hilton Mauritius Resort and Spa Hotel in Flic en Flac, in the presence of the Speaker of the National Assembly, also the President of the CPA Mauritius Branch, Mrs Santi Bai Hanoomanjee. Some 50 high level heads of delegation including, Speakers from Member States are participating in this convention.
The CPA aims to strengthen the capacity of Parliamentarians, to control and manage the activities and business of the Association. It enables Commonwealth Parliamentarians to contribute in a global setting to the development of the best parliamentary practices and the most effective policies. It speaks out for the rights of Parliaments and Parliamentarians to play a more active role in the development of their countries.
In her address, Mrs Hanoomanjee highlighted that the Commonwealth is an association of nations of different history, culture and traditions. The peaceful coexistence of the multi-ethnic groups in Mauritius, she pointed out, is exemplary as it demonstrates the trust that citizens have in the institutional set up of the country. She observed that careful planning and policies have lead to the country’s impressive economic performance and added that presently Mauritius is among the few Sub Sahara African countries who have successfully evolved into a fully diversified economy.
She further underlined that Mauritius has been constantly inspired by the fundamental values of the Commonwealth namely democracy, fundamental human rights, and the rule of law which are entrenched in our Constitution.
Mauritius joined the Commonwealth of Nations fifty years ago, on 12 March 1968, as a newly independent country, Mrs Hanoomanjee stated. This event coincides with the celebrations of the anniversary of the Independence of Mauritius which is indeed a milestone in the history of our country, she added.
For her part, the Chairperson of CPA, Mrs Emilia Monjowa Lifaka underlined that Parliaments and Legislatures of the Commonwealth are essential elements in the exercise of democratic governance. Political democracy, she pointed out, is a powerful tool for socio-economic change and a stronger Parliament.
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
The CPA was founded in 1911 with the objectives to connect, develop, promote and support Parliamentarians and their staff to identity benchmarks of good governance and the implementation of the enduring values of the Commonwealth. Its activities focus on the Commonwealth’s commitment to its fundamental political values including just and honest government; the alleviation of poverty; fundamental human rights; international peace and order; global economic development; the rule of law; equal rights and representation for all citizens of both genders; the separation of powers among the three branches of government and the right to participate in free and democratic political processes.
At present there exist CPA branches in 175 national, state, provincial and territorial Parliaments, with a total membership of approximately 17 000 Parliamentarians.
Source: Government of Mauritius