Speaker Anita Among of Uganda’s Parliament emphasized the vital role of Commonwealth leaders in fostering global peace in the aftermath of the 27th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC), held at Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort in Kampala. Addressing her counterparts, Among urged the Speakers and Presiding Officers to champion a world free from conflicts, emphasizing the need for mutual respect for diverse values, cultures, and traditions.
“The world has witnessed severe geo-political changes, characterized by increased violence and wars, especially in the Middle East and part of Europe. As Parliaments, we cannot afford to sit and act as bystanders,” declared Among during the conference’s closure on Saturday.
She encouraged discussions and differences in perspectives to occur within the framework of friendship and understanding. The four-day conference brought together at least 33 Speakers and Presiding Officers from Commonwealth countries, fostering dialogue on critical global issues.
Among expressed the Ugandan Parliament’s commitment to supporting collaboration among Commonwealth legislatures. Despite the UK Parliament’s boycott of the meeting, Among revealed that she had been invited to address them in March 2024 and affirmed her intention to travel for the occasion.
“As the Parliament of Uganda, we shall strengthen parliamentary diplomacy through the various interparliamentary bodies at our disposal, including the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. We shall advocate for unity, diversity, greater respect for people, and greater co-existence,” stated Among.
The conference served as a platform for deliberations on climate change, security of Speakers and Presiding Officers, health issues, gender inclusivity, and youth engagement. Among highlighted the importance of promoting youth involvement in parliaments, referencing Sustainable Development Goal 3 and initiatives in Uganda, such as the Annual Youth Parliament.
During the conference’s plenary session, India was endorsed to host the 28th CSPOC in 2026. Parliaments were urged to play an active role in addressing climate change through legislation. The absence of the UK in Kampala may have impacted the anticipated hosting opportunity for the next conference.
Harivansh Narayan Singh, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of the Indian Parliament, expressed India’s readiness to host the forum, emphasizing the opportunity for delegates to positively impact the lives of Commonwealth citizens.
CSPOC’s objectives include maintaining impartiality and fairness among Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth Parliaments and promoting knowledge and understanding of parliamentary democracy in its diverse forms. Delegates also had the opportunity to explore various tourism sites in Kampala, including the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine.
