KINGSTON, Jamaica — Speaker of the House of Representatives, Juliet Holness, has been appointed to serve on the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s (CPA) International Executive Committee as a Representative for the Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic Region.

The appointment took effect on October 12, 2025, following the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) held in Barbados, where Holness led a delegation of Government member, Andrew Morris, Opposition member, Yvonne Rose-Marie Shaw, Clerk to the Houses, Colleen Lowe who served as secretary to the delegation and  legislative counsel, Ashleigh Ximines, who served as the delegation’s resource person.

The appointment places Jamaica at the heart of the CPA’s global leadership for the next three years, as the Speaker joins a select group of parliamentarians responsible for shaping policy and advancing parliamentary democracy across more than 180 national and subnational legislatures worldwide.

As Regional Representative, Holness will also serve as a member of the CAA Regional Executive Committee, working to strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation, promote the values of good governance, represent the CPA’s values and objectives at regional and international forums, and encourage active participation by member branches in CPA programmes and activities.

In accepting the appointment, she expressed appreciation and reaffirmed her commitment to advancing the principles of parliamentary democracy across the Commonwealth.

“It is an honour to serve as a Regional Representative for the Caribbean, the Americas, and the Atlantic Region. I look forward to representing our region with integrity and commitment and ensuring that our voices remain strong in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association,” she said.

The CPA network extends to over 17,000 parliamentarians across nine regions, offering opportunities for collaboration on issues of mutual interest and sharing good practices.

The Speaker’s appointment underscores Jamaica’s continued leadership and active participation in advancing democratic values and inter-parliamentary collaboration within the Commonwealth.

–          Lynford Simpson