Assembly to Host 50th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference

13 August 2021

ACPAB 02/20/21

The Northern Ireland Assembly will host the 50th anniversary Commonwealth Parliamentary Association British Islands and Mediterranean Region (CPA BIMR) Conference which takes place this year from 20 to 23 September.

Each year the BIMR Conference is hosted by a different CPA Branch on a rotational basis; the last time that the Assembly hosted the Conference was in 2007.

Chairman of the Northern Ireland Branch of the CPA, William Humphrey MBE MLA said, “As Chairman, I look forward to welcoming all the delegates to Northern Ireland, in this it’s Centenary year.

“This conference will give us an opportunity to showcase all that Northern Ireland has to offer; it will also allow us to share our experiences of the accommodations we introduced during the pandemic which made it possible to continue in our legislative and scrutiny responsibilities.

“We will also be providing the delegates with a tour of the North Coast, including the Giant’s Causeway, which is a World Heritage Site. We are justly proud of our beautiful country and are delighted that we can highlight some of our magnificent scenery.”

This year’s conference, which will be opened by the Speaker of the Assembly, Alex Maskey MLA as President of the Branch, will be the first since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and its theme will be ‘Post-Pandemic Parliaments’. The focus will be on the impact of the pandemic on parliaments, and will look at the ways that parliaments have responded, including hybrid sittings, emergency legislation, innovations in scrutiny and new ways of engaging the public. There will also be sessions on the impact of the pandemic and subsequent recovery, focusing on the economy, education, agri-food industry, as well as the healthcare system.

Conference delegates will have sessions in Parliament Buildings, the Grand Central Hotel, Belfast and will attend the Balmoral Show, public health restrictions permitting.

ENDS

 

Notes to Editors:

  • Contingency plans are in place if current public health restrictions are in place (for example social distancing) or if there is a re-imposition of restrictions. However, it is the desire of the Branch that the Conference be held in person if at all possible.
  • It is also anticipated that, where possible, the Branch will host hybrid sessions, with delegates able to attend in person or virtually.

 

For media enquiries please contact:

The Communications Office

Northern Ireland Assembly

Email: info@niassembly.gov.uk