Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Belize, has been elected as the new Chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Small Branches network. She was elected during the 40th CPA Small Branches Conference, held as part of the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Sydney, Australia, on November 4, 2024.
In her acceptance speech, Speaker Woods emphasized the importance of unity among small legislatures within the Commonwealth to address shared challenges and advocate for their unique needs. "Together, we can strengthen our voices and advocate effectively for the unique needs of our parliaments," Woods stated. "I am honored to have your trust, and I pledge to work diligently to enhance our collective efforts."
As Chairperson, Speaker Woods will serve on the CPA International Executive Committee, where she will represent Small Branches and bring attention to the specific issues facing these parliaments. Her election reflects the CPA’s continued commitment to supporting the development and cooperation of small parliaments across the Commonwealth.
In addition to her new role as Chairperson, Speaker Woods has been an active participant in the CPA, serving on the Steering Committee for Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) representing the Caribbean, Americas, and Atlantic Region. She has also been involved in the CPA's Administrative Review of the National Assembly of Belize and is currently pursuing professional development studies through the CPA Parliamentary Academy.
The CPA Small Branches network includes 49 branches from Commonwealth nations with populations of less than 1 million people. The CPA Secretariat continues to prioritize efforts to strengthen these smaller parliaments and support their unique development needs.
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