Guernsey, Channel Islands

Friday, 10th January 2025

The Standing Committee of the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) held in Guernsey; a Channel Islands has declared that India will host the upcoming the 28^th CSPOC general conference in New Delhi, 2026 while a meeting of the Standing Committee of the SCPOC was agreed to be conducted in in Trinidad and Tobago in 2027.

The declarations were made during the after deliberations in the just concluded Standing Committee Meeting of the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) in Guernsey, Channel Islands with the Great Britain territory.

The meeting SCPOC Standing Committee meeting chaired by Hon. Om Birla (India), aimed to finalize the agenda for the 28th CSPOC Conference, which is scheduled to take place in India later this year.

The Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya, the Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula, who was the main representative of the Africa Region urged Members of the Committee to consider global issues affecting member states.

Speaker Wetang’ula attended the meeting in his capacity as a Member of the CSPOC Standing Committee where he represented the Africa Region and championed the continent's interests on the global stage.

“This meeting represents a significant opportunity to ensure that Africa's voice resonates strongly in the Commonwealth’s legislative and governance agenda”, noted Speaker Wetang’ula.

Speaking during the meeting on Friday, Hon. Wetang’ula underscored the critical need for Africa’s unique challenges and opportunities to feature prominently in the deliberations of such international platforms.

"I am here as a Member of the CSPOC Standing Committee to represent the Africa Region. It is imperative that the specific issues facing our continent are addressed in these global forums," he stated.

The Rt. Hon Speaker emphasized Africa's vast potential and the need for greater focus on key sectors such as trade, tourism, agriculture, and technological advancement. "Africa is a rich continent that deserves proper attention in these areas," he added.

Expressing optimism about the engagements and deliberations, Hon. Wetang’ula remarked, "I thank fellow colleague Speakers for a and look forward to the implementation of the agreed Agenda among the Commonwealth nations."

Speakers and Members of the Standing Committee raised concerns on the misuse of the social media and fake news on propelling wrong messaging to the general public across nations.

He acknowledged the need for peer exchange and collaboration to enhance parliamentary diplomacy geared towards enhanced legislation within member states.

Delegates also discussed on language use in their engagements considering various nationalities for ease of communication.

CSPOC, established in 1969, brings together speakers and presiding officers from the national parliaments of Commonwealth member states, fostering dialogue and collaboration on parliamentary practice and governance.

Hon. Wetang’ula is accompanied by an esteemed delegation, including Kenya's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Amb. Catherine Karemu, the Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Jeremiah Ndombi, and the Chief of Staff in the Speaker's Office, Mr. Benson Millimo.

Other distinguished members of the CSPOC Standing Committee attending the meeting include; Hon. Sir Lindsay Hoyle (United Kingdom), Hon. Greg Fergus (Canada), Hon. Milton Dick (Australia), Sir Richard McMahon (Guernsey), Papali’i Li’o Oloipola Taeu Masipau (Samoa), Bridgid Annisette-George (Trinidad and Tobago) and Lord Fakafanua (Tonga).