Bangladesh delegation holds talks with CPA chief in South Africa

A Bangladeshi parliamentary delegation, led by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal, on Thursday held a meeting with Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Secretary General Stephen Twigg in Cape Town, South Africa, to discuss ways to strengthen parliamentary democracy and enhance the capacity of lawmakers.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the ongoing 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, according to a press release.

The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest, including strengthening parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh, enhancing lawmakers’ skills and capacity, women’s political empowerment, the Rohingya crisis and expanding cooperation between Bangladesh and the CPA.

Stephen Twigg assured the delegation of all necessary cooperation in strengthening the country’s parliamentary institutions and enhancing the capacity of its lawmakers.

He said an international four-day training seminar for Bangladeshi lawmakers, featuring experienced parliamentarians, will be organised in Bangladesh in November and that he will personally attend the seminar.

The CPA secretary general thanked the Deputy Speaker for including opposition and women lawmakers in the Bangladesh delegation, describing it as a positive example of inclusive and representative parliamentary practice.

Highlighting the CPA’s activities aimed at women’s political empowerment, leadership development and increasing women’s effective representation in parliament, he called on Bangladeshi women lawmakers to actively participate in various initiatives of Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP).

Stephen Twigg also advised Bangladeshi lawmakers to join the online training programmes of the CPA Parliamentary Academy.

He said the training programmes will further enrich lawmakers’ knowledge and skills in parliamentary proceedings, legislation, accountability and democratic governance.

During the meeting, the CPA chief expressed deep concern over the prolonged Rohingya crisis and humanitarian situation of the Myanmar’s forcibly displaced nationals.

He praised Bangladesh’s humanitarian role in hosting a large number of displaced Rohingyas and providing them with assistance over a long period.

Stephen Twigg congratulated Bangladesh on assuming the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and also praised the country’s growing role and stature in the international arena.

Kayser Kamal sought continued cooperation from the CPA in advancing parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh and enhancing the capacity of lawmakers.

Both sides expressed hope that cooperation between Bangladesh, and the CPA and its UK chapter will deepen further and play an effective role in the country’s democratic and parliamentary progress.

Members of the delegation, including lawmakers Humam Quader Chowdhury, Shakila Farzana and Md Mahbubul Alam, and Secretary of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat Barrister Md Golam Sorwar Bhuiyan, were present at the meeting. -UNB