Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie activities 2025

Foreword

Deputy Rob Ward   Deputy Montfort Tadier

Chairman of CPA Jersey President of the Section de Jersey of the APF

It is my pleasure to share details of Jersey's involvement in the activities of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).

The CPA offers our Island and Jersey's politicians excellent opportunities to look beyond our shores and access the wide range of services afforded by our membership.

This includes engaging with other Parliamentarians and developing working relationships whilst at the same time showcasing some of what makes Jersey special with our counterparts across the network. Jersey delegates have been active participants in a wide variety of CPA events detailed in this newsletter and our attendance at conferences and training sessions, or indeed as Election Observers in other jurisdictions, allows us to be fantastic ambassadors for Jersey.

We greatly benefit from our participation at CPA events and gain an increased understanding of parliamentary roles. In addition, our participation places us firmly on the world stage, and our States Members have the opportunity to discuss common

issues with parliamentarians from other jurisdictions large and small, share experiences and learn from each other. We can

be inspired by the direct experiences of our colleagues across the Commonwealth and use what we learn in a local context

to improve life in our Island, and we can also contribute to the betterment of others by sharing our own experiences.

We take our membership of CPA very seriously, and although we are a small jurisdiction, our delegates are often asked to make presentations and lead on discussions, as you will see demonstrated across the events we have attended over the

past year. From attending the British Islands and Mediterranean Regional Conference in Cardiff, to participating in the CPA Women's Parliamentarians Conference in Edinburgh, or contributing in an Artificial Intelligence Security Workshop

at the Houses of Parliament, we are hugely grateful for our membership of the CPA and the experience and learning this provides.

We are proud that Deputy Mary Le Hegarat is serving as our Region's representative on the CPA Executive Council, only the second time that a Jersey Member has held an Executive Council position.

I thank all States Members for their involvement in the CPA in Jersey, for their contribution in the work of the CPA and for their continued support in representing Jersey so successfully across the Commonwealth.

Welcome to this newsletter with information about the

work of the Jersey Section of the Assemblée parlementaire

de la Francophonie (APF) in 2024. The States Assembly's membership of this organisation stems from the status of French as an official language of the Assembly and the cultural and historical significance of the language to Jersey.

As in previous years, in 2025 Members attended conferences organised by the APF. As I have reported in the past, our involvement with the organisation brings us into contact with countries and regions with whom we would not otherwise engage. These interactions can be invaluable for Jersey's international connections and networks. In addition, attendance at these conferences allows Members to discuss matters of common interest with parliamentarians across the French-speaking world.

One key difference in 2025 from previous years was that the Island hosted one of those conferences: in May 2025, we welcomed colleagues from across the European Region of the APF for the Conférence des Présidents. Jersey is recognised as an active Member of the APF and our hosting of this conference underlined that fact. We were able to show the Island at its best and I am grateful for the support we received from colleagues in the Government of Jersey, from the Alliance Française and from the Maison de la Normandie et de la Manche. The conference allowed us to explore the current status of the French language in Jersey and to talk about the importance of young people to sustainable economic development. We received positive feedback from the APF about the welcome we had offered and the productive discussions that took place.

As always, my thanks go to all those Members and officers who have involved themselves in the work of the APF, presently and in the past.

Event: AI in Security Workshop

Location: Houses of Parliament London

Date: 28-30 January 2025

Attendees: Connétable Mike Jackson , Deputy Tom Coles

Summary

CPA UK hosted the three-day Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Security Workshop in partnership with international think tank Chatham House. Thirty parliamentarians from 15 Commonwealth legislatures gathered at Westminster to discuss the impact of Artificial Intelligence on security and democracy worldwide. There was representation from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. The workshop addressed critical issues facing the world today such as AI-enabled disinformation, cybersecurity, defence, and international frameworks for responsible AI. Exchanging experiences and sharing ideas, delegates explored strategies to counter emerging threats as well as strengthen democratic resilience in the face of rapidly evolving technologies.

Feedback from Members

The visit to and involvement of Chatham House was a highlight, and their representatives were very knowledgeable and respectfully challenging.

Event: Post Election Seminar Location: Montserrat

Date: 16-21 February 2025 Attendees: Deputy Carina Alves

Summary

CPA UK held a Post Election Seminar in Montserrat. The aim of the programme was to enhance the skills of both new

and returning Assembly members who had been elected on 24th October 2024. The event went through the roles and responsibilities of members and parliamentary officials in Montserrat as well as discussing parliamentary procedures and practices.

Event: 73rd Westminster Seminar on Effective Parliaments Location: Westminster, London

Date: 10-14 March 2025

Attendees:   Deputy Elaine Millar

Summary

The annual Westminster Seminar event was held on  Commonwealth Day in 2025 and offered an unparalleled  opportunity for delegates to immerse themselves in the world  of parliamentary democracy, practice and procedure. It offered  a platform for parliamentarians and clerks from across the  Commonwealth to learn from one another, discuss shared  experiences, and address the unique challenges they face in  their parliamentary work.

The Westminster Seminar is the largest activity delivered by  CPA UK every year and welcomes around 70 delegates from  across the Commonwealth, UK Overseas Territories and Crown  Dependencies.  

Feedback from Members

The Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey and  

the earlier flag-raising ceremony, as well as attending Prime  Minister's Questions from the visitor gallery were real highlights.  The visit to the constituency in Haringey on Friday morning was  also very interesting.  

Event: 11th CPA British Islands and Mediterranean Region Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Conference

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Date: 16-18 March 2025

Attendees: Deputy Louise Doublet , Deputy Hilary Jeune , Deputy Mary Le Hegarat

Summary

The Scott ish Parliament hosted the CWP Conference, welcoming more than 25 parliamentarians from 10 jurisdictions from the CPA British Islands and Mediterranean Region. The theme for the two-day programme was A parliament for all: the importance of women in politics'. The conference set out to recognise the existing barriers for women parliamentarians, as well as the inclusive practices available to overcome

them. Conference sessions included gender sensitive scrutiny and institutional change, hybrid working, equality networks and caucuses, and retention policies for women parliamentarians, with emphasis on more in-depth education on the duties of representatives. The conference

was opened by Alison Johnstone MSP who is the Presiding Officer of the Scott ish Parliament.

Feedback from Members

The conference built well upon previous CWP themes, including  the critical importance of childcare provision in parliaments  

to support both Members and staff, and to enable broader  community participation; the need for zero tolerance of abusive  and misogynistic behaviour; and the importance of engaging  male allies in promoting respectful behaviour and inclusive  culture. Key sessions included the promotion of inclusiveness  within parliamentary systems, young women's perspectives,  

and overcoming unconscious bias.

Event: CPA Small Branches – Strong and Independent Parliaments in Small Jurisdictions Workshop

Location: Douglas, Isle of Man

Date: 1-3 April 2025

Attendees: Connétable Richard Vibert , Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache

Summary

The CPA Small Branches Workshop 2025 focused on Strong  and Independent Parliaments in Small Jurisdictions'. It brought  together Parliamentarians from Commonwealth jurisdictions  with populations under 1 million to discuss strengthening  democracy, fostering resilience, and addressing unique  legislative challenges.

Feedback from Members

The workshops centred around the Latimer House Principles and the separation between the Judiciary, the Executive,  

and Parliament. Jersey's unique position where the Bailiff is  both the Head of the legal system in Jersey and the Speaker  of the house was raised in several of the discussions. The  presentations by Kenyan legal experts on the separation and  balance of powers was also a key feature of the event.

Event: Head of Mission for the CPA BIMR Election Observation Mission to the Cayman Islands General Election

Location: Cayman Islands Date: 22 April – 2 May 2025 Attendees: Deputy Rob Ward

Summary

Deputy Rob Ward was selected for the role of Head of Mission for the Election Observation Mission to the Cayman Islands in April 2025. The Head of Mission had to have prior experience in election observation, whether through CPA BIMR initiatives or other recognised missions, and be a currently serving parliamentarian who had no political affiliations with any individual or political party within the Territory. The role had to include responsibility for leading the mission and its observers, serving as the official spokesperson, acting as the lead observer, conducting high level meetings throughout the mission period as the senior point of contact with key stakeholders, and overseeing both the preliminary and final reports.

Feedback from Members

I was impressed by the professional, well-organised and smooth-running of Election Day in our observations in the Cayman Islands. In particular, the Elections Office went the extra mile' to ensure persons with disabilities could cast their vote, either in their own home via mobile voting, or in polling stations where accessibility was clearly prioritised. I hope our observations detailed in this report are a helpful reflection on the operation of these elections and play a part in bolstering democracy in the Cayman Islands.

Event: CPA BIMR Election Observation Training

Location: Virtual

Date: 6-7 May 2025

Attendees:   Connétable Kevin Lewis , Deputy Kristina Moore

Summary

CPA UK facilitated a CPA BIMR Election Observation training course across two half-days held virtually on Microsoft Teams. The training course was primarily for parliamentarians in the British Isles and Mediterranean Region (BIMR) and aimed to increase participants' understanding of the process of election observation, the role of election observers and CPA BIMR Election Observation Missions. Before joining future CPA BIMR Election Observation Missions in UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, Short-Term Observers are required to have completed this training programme.

Event: CPA HQ's Mid-Year meeting of the International Executive Committee Location: London

Date: 12-13 May 2025

Attendees:   Deputy Mary Le Hegarat

Summary

CPA HQ's Mid-Year meeting of the International Executive  Committee took take place in London in May 2025. Regional  representatives (Stuart McMillan MSP, Deputy Mary Le Hegarat  and Rt Hon David Mundell MP) attended.

Event: 54th British Islands and Mediterranean Regional Conference Location: Cardiff, Wales

Date: 17-20 June 2025

Attendees: Connétable Mike Jackson , Deputy Louise Doublet , Deputy Montfort Tadier

Summary

A core theme of the conference was diversity and inclusion and  the BIMR LGBT+ network was launched during the conference.  There was also a workshop on the importance of LGBT+  

voices in parliament. The conference included a workshop  

on how parliaments enable full and effective participation of  people with disabilities. Other topics addressed included the  use of new technology and AI in parliaments, and supporting parliamentarians' wellbeing and mental health. Members of

the Welsh Youth Parliament shared their experiences with delegates.

Feedback from Members

It was a privilege to be present to witness the launch of the BIMR LGBT+ network and learn of its importance in supporting some countries where gay and wider rights cannot be taken for granted. The disability workshops were an area of particularly rich learning. The idea that disabled people are not disabled

by their impairments, but by society, was an eye-opener; and

it provided food for thought about how we need to do more to remove barriers for participation in the democratic process at

all levels.

Event: 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference Location: Bridgetown, Barbados

Date: 5-12 Oct 2025

Attendees:   Connétable Kevin Lewis , Deputy Raluka Kovacs , Deputy Mary Le Hegarat , Deputy Barbara Ward

Summary

Over 500 Parliamentarians and parliamentary officials  representing Parliaments and Legislatures from across the  Commonwealth attended the The Commonwealth: A Global  Partner' conference. During the conference, a number of  additional conferences and meetings took place, including:  41st CPA Small Branches Conference; 9th Commonwealth  Women Parliamentarians Conference; meetings of the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities network;  the 2025 CPA General Assembly and meetings of the CPA  Executive Committee; and the 59th Society of Clerks-at-the- Table meetings.

Feedback from Members

The conference provided valuable networking opportunities

with representatives from other jurisdictions. Members valued  the opportunity to learn directly from local and international  leaders, including Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, and to meet  the Speaker and President of Barbados during the Parliament  visit. The conference was wide ranging, with multiple  

workshops running in parallel. The Jersey delegates participated  in each of the conferences across the week and played an  

active role in workshops and plenary sessions.

Event: Event: CPA UK Commonwealth Climate Forum Location: Westminster, London

Date: 14-16 Oct 2025

Attendees: Deputy Tom Coles

Summary

The forum featured contributions from parliamentarians across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Pacific, and representatives from international organisations such as GLOBE International, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, and Involve. Over the course of the three days, parliamentarians shared national experiences, discussed challenges and innovations, and explored collaborative approaches

to climate resilience and sustainable development. Parliaments play a critical role in ensuring accountability, transparency, and inclusive policymaking around climate change. Delegates left with strengthened networks, practical tools, and a renewed commitment to advancing climate action through legislative leadership.

Feedback from Members

The event had a schedule of back-to-back panel presentations  on or around the subject of climate change. A highlight of the  event was the excursion to Barnet. It showed what a large- scale development could achieve, when planned with the  intention of net-zero.

Event: Post-Election Seminar for the Parliament of the Cayman Islands Location: Cayman Islands

Date: 20–25 Oct 2025

Attendees: Deputy Inna Gardiner

Summary

CPA UK delivered a Post-Election Seminar following an invitation from the Parliament of the Cayman Islands, and the delegation represented the parliaments of Bermuda, Jersey, Scotland, and Trinidad and Tobago. The seminar provided a bespoke opportunity for both new and returning parliamentarians to discuss parliamentary practice and procedure, as well as related challenges and solutions, with parliamentarians from other jurisdictions in the Commonwealth. The programme of the seminar was designed in partnership with the Parliament of the Cayman Islands and covered a range of topics. These included: behaviour, ethics and standards, parliamentary questions, the role and remit of committees, exploring the use of AI in parliaments and public outreach.

Event: BIMR LGBT+ Forum and Networking Reception Location: London

Date: 24 Nov 2025

Attendees: Deputy Louise Doublet

Summary

The CPA BIMR LGBT+ Network had its first in-person forum since it was launched in Cardiff  in 2024 and brought together parliamentarians from seven jurisdictions as well as LGBT+  advocates and experts in the area of human rights. Two critical themes were on the agenda;  

the visibility of LGBT+ people in politics across the CPA British Islands and Mediterranean  Region, and the status of LGBT+ equality across the wider Commonwealth.

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Jersey Branch) 2025 Conference and Events

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Jersey Branch) 2025 Conference and Events

Event: Conférence des Présidents

Location: St. Helier , Jersey

Date: 18-20 May 2025

Attendees: All Executive Committee Members

Summary

The Conférence des Présidents brought together the Presidents of all jurisdictions in the APF's European Region. 13 Sections were represented during the Conférence, the main element of which was held in the States Chamber. With the assistance of the Directrices

of the Maison de la Normandie et de la Manche and Alliance Française Jersey, the Section de Jersey provided the other delegations with a presentation on the status of French in Jersey. The delegates then discussed « le Renforcement du rôle des jeunes adultes dans un développement économique et durable » (Strengthening the role of young adults in sustainable economic development) and the question of « Quelles perspectives de coopération entre l'Union européenne et le Royaume-Uni dans le domaine de la défense ? » (What are the prospects for cooperation between the European Union and the United Kingdom in the field of defence?)

Event: 50th Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie Location: Paris, France

Date: 11-13 July 2025

Attendees: Connétable Michael Jackson , Deputy Helen Miles

Summary

During the conference, the Members attended meetings  

of the Commission de l'Education, de la Culture et de  

la Communication and the Commission des affaires  économiques, sociales et environnementales. During the  plenary session, held in the chamber of the Assemblée  Nationale, the delegations discussed "La francophonie, une  ancre dans un monde en crise" (Francophony, an anchor in a  world in crisis). Deputy Miles spoke during this session. The  delegations also received a report from the Secrétaire générale  de la Francophonie and approval was given to the membership  of Ghana, São Tomé and the Sarre. Contact was made during  the conference with the Réseau francophone d'éthique et de  déontologie parlementaires and a suggestion was made that  the Assembly consider the benefits of joining this network.  

Event: 37th Assemblée régionale Europe APF

Location: Andorra la Vella, Andorra

Date: 20-22 October 2025

Attendees: Connétable Michael Jackson , Deputy Beatriz Porée , Deputy Raluca Kovacs

Summary

Three topics of discussion were covered by the delegates  during the conference: how European economies can address  current commercial and geopolitical crises; the impact of AI  on economic growth and diversification; and the role of young  people in economic innovation. A number of speakers were  heard during the conference. Both Connétable Jackson and   Deputy Kovacs took part in the discussions, offering Jersey  perspectives on the questions at hand.  

Feedback from Members

It was great to re-connect and to catch-up with the  parliamentarians met before at different conferences. We  initiated discussions on youth social mobility within the  

APF framework, as set out in the declaration agreed at the  conference; exploring how Jersey could once again participate  in ERASMUS projects as it did before Brexit. I have since  continued these discussions with officials in Jersey, and there is  promising support in this direction.

Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie 2025 Conference and Events