The Gibraltar Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association recently hosted the 55th British Islands and Mediterranean Regional Conference.

A statement from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association follows below:

The Gibraltar Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association hosted the 55th Regional  Conference of the British Islands and Mediterranean Region (BIMR) in Gibraltar from 17th – 19th June  2026. 

Nearly forty Parliamentarians and officials from ten Commonwealth countries and territories attended  the Conference, which was held under the theme “Modern Legislatures for Modern Challenges.” 

Delegates were officially welcomed by the Speaker of the Gibraltar Parliament and President of the  Gibraltar Branch of the CPA, the Hon Judge Karen Ramagge Phillips GMH MP. The Chief Minister, the  Hon Fabian Picardo KC MP, also welcomed delegates to Gibraltar following the Official Opening. 

The first plenary session opened with a fireside chat with the Deputy Chief Minister, the Hon Dr Joseph  Garcia CMG MP, entitled “Redefining Relationships: The European Union and the  Commonwealth.” 

This was followed by a session on “Future-ready Economies in Small Mediterranean  Jurisdictions,” led by the Hon Sir Joe Bossano KCMG MP, Minister for Inward Investment and the  Savings Bank, Mr Paul Frew MLA of Northern Ireland, and Ms Sarah Hudson of Sark. 

Madam Speaker later chaired a plenary session on “Youth Parliaments and Democratic Continuity  in the 21st Century.” She was joined by Senior Youth Worker and Youth Symposium leader, Miss  Rebecca Figueras CMgr, together with the four team captains of the inaugural Gibraltar Youth  Parliament debate teams: Mr James Vinet, Miss Ariana Gianani, Mr Joshua Cuby and Miss Isabella  Azopardi. 

A further session examined Digital Parliaments and the use of Artificial Intelligence. The workshop  discussion was led by the Clerk to the Gibraltar Parliament, Mr Phillip Borge McCarthy, Mr Steve Aiken  MLA of Northern Ireland, Mr Robert Mercer MLC of Tynwald, Isle of Man, and Opposition Member the  Hon Joelle Ladislaus MP. 

The first Townhall discussion focused on “Allyship and Representation in Parliament: Advancing  Inclusion for LGBT+ Individuals.” The session was chaired by Mr Adam Price MS of Wales, in the  absence of The Hon Christian Santos MP, Minister for Equality, Employment, Culture and Tourism. Mr  Price was joined by Mr Rico Jacob Chace of the Consortium, Ms Jayne Ozanne OBE of Guernsey and  Mr Stuart McMillan MSP of Scotland. 

The final session of the Conference was a Townhall discussion on “Accessible Parliaments:  Modernising Parliamentary Procedure and Process Beyond Brick and Mortar.” The session was  chaired by Dr Marie Tidball MP of the United Kingdom Parliament. She was joined by Opposition  Member the Hon Atrish Sanchez MP, Mr Jarvis Matiya, Deputy Secretary-General of the CPA, and Mrs  Jenny Victory, Head of the Gibraltar Disability Office. 

The Gibraltar Branch delegation was led by the Deputy Chief Minister, the Hon Dr Joseph Garcia CMG  MP. The delegation also included the Hon Leslie Bruzon MP, Minister for Industrial Relations, Civil  Contingencies and Sport, and Opposition Members the Hon Roy Clinton MP and the Hon Craig  Sacarello MP. The delegation secretary was Mr Phillip Borge McCarthy, Clerk to the Gibraltar  Parliament.

The Annual General Meeting of the British Islands and Mediterranean Region also took place during  the Conference. 

The Conference provided an important opportunity for Parliamentarians from across the Region to  exchange views, share experiences and consider how modern legislatures can respond effectively to  the challenges facing parliamentary democracy in the 21st century.