Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Objectives and Key Activities

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) works to strengthen democracy, good governance, and cooperation among Commonwealth parliaments and legislatures.

Context: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the 11th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).

About Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)

Establishment: Founded in 1911 as the Empire Parliamentary Association.
- Renamed as the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in 1948.
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom.
Membership: Over 180 national and sub-national legislatures are members.
- Includes Parliaments, State Assemblies, and Provincial Legislatures.
- India’s Parliament and State/UT legislatures are members.

Objectives

Promote parliamentary democracy and good governance.
Provide a forum for dialogue and cooperation among parliaments.
Support the Commonwealth Charter values: rule of law, human rights, transparency, and separation of powers.
Build the capacity of legislators and parliamentary institutions.

Key Activities

Organises Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC)
Conducts training, workshops, and youth/women parliamentarian programs.
Publish resources like the Parliamentary Review for knowledge sharing.

Related Fact

Om Birla serves as the ex officio Chairperson of the CPA India Region Executive Committee.
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association has 9 geographic regions.
India constitutes the 9th Region of the CPA, comprising 31 State and Union Territory branches.