The 27th Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers Conference (CSPOC) scheduled to take place in Kampala will address critical issues such as climate change, peace, and security. At least 17 Speakers and Presiding Officers from Commonwealth nations have already arrived, with 15 more expected, including notable figures from Grenada, Ghana, Maldives, Tonga, Malaysia, and Samoa.
During bilateral discussions, Speaker Anita Among, who also chairs CSPOC, emphasized the conference’s role in facilitating networking, building bilateral and multilateral relations through parliamentary diplomacy within the Commonwealth fraternity. She highlighted the need for effective parliamentary diplomacy as a remedy for disunity in regions facing armed conflicts, such as the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Asia.
With more than 45 armed conflicts currently occurring globally, the conference aims to address pressing challenges such as inequality, climate change, increased poverty, and exploitation. The speakers will share experiences and insights to align Commonwealth legislatures in confronting these realities.
The role of Speakers and Presiding Officers in enhancing democracy, good governance, and safeguarding parliamentary decorum is recognized as pivotal. The conference, initiated in 1969, operates independently and brings together leaders from national parliaments of sovereign Commonwealth states. It operates on a two-year cycle, with a focus on fostering impartiality, promoting parliamentary democracy, and developing parliamentary institutions.
As part of sustainability efforts, KIIRA Kayoola EV buses will transport attendees during their visit to Namugongo Martyrs Shrines, Makerere University, and Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Center (UWEC), contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions.
The conference is set to be inaugurated by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and will serve as a platform for comprehensive discussions on pressing global challenges and the role of parliamentary diplomacy in addressing them.
