LAHORE:The First Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Asia and South-East Asia Regional Conference that successfully concluded in provincial capital recently resulted in several key decisions aimed at strengthening parliamentary cooperation in the region.
According to a press release, the Punjab Assembly secured membership in the CPA Asia Executive Committee, ensuring its participation in next three CPA conferences. Additionally, Pakistan was designated as the CPA Asia Regional Secretariat, with the National Assembly of Pakistan authorised to serve as the permanent headquarters of CPA Asia. During the conference, Sri Lanka agreed to transfer a fund of two million IRS to the National Assembly of Pakistan.
Furthermore, a significant amendment was made to the CPA Asia Constitution, replacing the three-year rotation system with a cycle of three CPA conferences. The Punjab Assembly's proposal regarding the rotation principle for provincial membership was formally approved.
Similarly, observer status principles within CPA Asia were established, allowing the legislative assemblies of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan to be included as observers. The conference also approved virtual meetings of the CPA Asia Executive Committee to enhance effective communication and consultation among regional countries. Additionally, the regional fund subscription structure was endorsed, setting an annual fee of $5,000 for national assemblies and $2,000 for provincial assemblies.
However, this decision is subject to Bangladesh’s endorsement. This conference marked a significant milestone in the history of Asian parliamentary cooperation, reinforcing inter-parliamentary relations in the region and promoting democratic values.