The Maldives has been elected as the new Chair of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Asia Region for the next three years. The decision was made during the CPA Asia Region Executive Committee meeting held today in Barbados.

The Chairpersonship was transitioned from Sri Lanka. According to the CPA Constitution, the turn for the chairmanship had fallen to Bangladesh. However, as Bangladesh does not currently have an elected Parliament, the country was unable to assume the role.

Consequently, the CPA Asia Region Executive Committee convened and elected the Maldives to serve as the Chair for the region for the forthcoming term. The Maldives will be represented by Hon. Ahmed Nazim, Deputy Speaker of the People’s Majlis. His term as Chair will conclude at the 71st Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC).

CPA Asia region comprises of eight Legislatures- including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives and the sub-national Legislatures of Pakistan, and Islamabad has been selected as its permanent headquarters. 

This appointment highlights the active roles member nations play within the Commonwealth parliamentary community and their commitment to advancing the objectives of the CPA in the Asia Region.