A delegation from the Gibraltar Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association attended the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference held in Barbados from 5-12 October 2025.

A statement from the CPA follows below:

The Gibraltar Branch was represented by delegation leader, the Hon L M Bruzon MP, Minister for Sport, Industrial Relations, Civil Contingencies and the Fire Service.  Opposition Member the Hon D J Bossino MP also formed part of the delegation along with the Honorary Secretary of the Branch, Mr P A Borge McCarthy.

With over 500 Parliamentarians, parliamentary staff and decision makers from across the Commonwealth, the conference brought together the CPA’s global membership to address the critical issues facing today’s Parliaments.

Several key topics were explored covering a wide range of workshop themes, including strengthening Parliaments to support democracy, leveraging technology and AI to transform Parliaments, examining the impact of climate change on global health and building trust in Legislatures.

Minister Bruzon, the Head of the CPA Gibraltar Branch’s delegation, said: “We are delighted to have attended the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) and CPA General Assembly to represent Gibraltar and our Parliament. The CPA’s annual conference offers the opportunity for Members to benefit from professional development, supportive learning and the sharing of best practice with colleagues from Commonwealth Parliaments together with the participation of leading international organisations.”

During the conference, Gibraltar also participated in the 41st CPA Small Branches Conference; the 2025 CPA General Assembly. Mr Borge McCarthy, Clerk to the Gibraltar Parliament, led a break-out discussion workshop on the use of AI for Hansard production during the 59th Society of Clerks-at-the-Table (SOCATT) meetings.

The Conference also had a regional element to it in the form of the British Islands of the Mediterranean Region (BIMR), which includes Gibraltar and where a separate meeting was held.

During their time at the conference the Gibraltar delegation was invited to attend the Presidential Selection at the Barbados House of Assembly by the Speaker of the House, The Hon. Arthur Holder, SC, MP and also attended a reception hosted by the UK High Commissioner. The delegation also met with the Barbados Prime Minister The Hon. Miss Mia Amor Mottley SC, MP, among other dignitaries.