Dhaka hosts C'wealth Parliamentary meet in Nov
The 63rd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC), the largest annual gathering of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), is set to take place in Dhaka in early November.
Although no agenda on the ongoing atrocities against Rohingyas being carried out by the authorities in Myanmar, a member of CPA, is set for the eight-day-long mega event, the global issue would be discussed, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, speaker of Bangladesh Parliament, told reporters at a briefing at the Jatiya Sangsad Media Centre.
“The Rohingya crisis was not developed when the executive committee of CPA finalised the agenda for the 63rd conference. But there is an opportunity to discuss the sufferings of the Rohingya people during a workshop titled 'What factors fuel the rise of different kinds of nationalism',” she said in reply to a query.
Echoing Shirin Sharmin, also chairperson of the CPA, Akbar Khan, secretary general of CPA, said it is certain that the issue would come up for discussions.
The speaker said the CPA Bangladesh chapter and the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad would host the conference at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre and the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
Some 600 delegates including the speakers, deputy speakers, lawmakers and other delegates from 180 national and provincial parliaments of 52 countries are set to attend the conference, she said in a written statement.
Representatives from the UN and other international organisations would also take part.
The theme of the 63rd CPC is set as “continuing to enhance the high standards of performance of parliamentarians.”
The conference would elect the new chairperson of the parliamentary group for a three-year term.
Although the conference would kick off on November 1, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also vice-patron of the CPC, would formally inaugurate the conference on November 5 at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
Shirin Sharmin would preside over the conference, in which Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Mia would lead the Bangladesh delegation.
Formed in 1911, the annual flagship event would bring together parliamentarians, parliamentary staff and decision makers from across the Commonwealth for this unique conference and networking opportunity.
The 62nd CPC was held in London where the group decided to hold the next conference in Dhaka. The CPA assembly was originally scheduled to be held in Dhaka in 2016, but the congregation was postponed following the deadly attack on Holey Artisan Bakery that left 22 people, mostly foreigners, dead.
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