KUCHING (Oct 14): The leveraging of technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), in transforming parliaments was among the key topics discussed at the just-concluded 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) in Barbados.
Themed 'The Commonwealth: A Global Partner', the meet also explored many other subjects such as means to strengthen parliaments to support democracy, examining the impact of climate change on global health, and also building the trust in legislatures.
Hosted by the Parliament of Barbados and CPA Barbados, headquartered in Bridgetown, the event hosted over 500 parliamentarians, parliamentary staff and decision-makers from across the Commonwealth, including the representatives of CPA Sarawak.
The conference is touted as one of the largest Commonwealth parliamentarians annual gatherings.
Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, who led the Sarawak delegation, highlighted the significance of the CPC as a platform for capacity-building and knowledge-exchange among members of the Commonwealth parliaments.
"We are delighted to attend the CPC and also the CPA general assembly.
"This annual conference offers the opportunity for members to benefit from professional development, supportive learning and the sharing of best practices from Commonwealth parliaments, together with the participation of leading international organisations," he said in a statement.
The CPC also brought together CPA's global membership to address the critical issues facing today's parliaments.
Alongside the 68th CPC and the CPA general assembly, several additional meetings were also held including the 41st CPA Small Branches Conference, the Ninth Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Conference, meetings of the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) Network, the meetings of the CPA Executive Committee, as well as the 59th Society of Clerks-at-the-Table (SOCATT) meetings.
Meanwhile, the CPA South East Asia Meeting was co-chaired by Malaysia and Singapore, attended by parliamentary delegations from both countries.
It provided an opportunity for members to discuss shared priorities and strengthen cooperation within the CPA framework.
"The event serves as the only parliamentary association that unites national, state, provincial and territorial legislatures, with a membership of nearly 180 parliaments and legislatures across the commonwealth," said the organiser in a statement.