Basseterre, St. Kitts(National Assembly of Saint Christopher and Nevis
The National Assembly of Saint Christopher and Nevis has concluded a week of high-level parliamentary diplomacy following its participation in the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC)**, held from January 14 to 18, 2026, in New Delhi, India.
The delegation was led by Hon. Lanein Blanchette, Speaker of the National Assembly. It included Senator the Hon. Latoya Jones, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, and Mr Mauriel Knight, Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly.
Established in 1969, CSPOC aims to foster dialogue among presiding officers of Commonwealth legislatures, united by shared principles of parliamentary democracy. The Conference also provides a platform for inter-regional training, the exchange of best practices, and serves as an important catalyst for parliamentary diplomacy.
At this year’s Conference, which brought together representatives from 45 legislatures, presiding officers examined several critical issues, including the growing role of artificial intelligence in parliamentary processes, strategies to enhance citizen participation beyond voting, and the impact of social media on parliamentary operations.
During the Conference, the National Assembly’s delegation engaged in bilateral discussions with several delegations and officials, including Hon. Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Member of Parliament for West Delhi, India; representatives of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Inter-Parliamentary Union; and colleagues from CSPOC Caribbean Region branches. These engagements further strengthened collaborative ties and underscored the Federation’s commitment to effective parliamentary governance and international cooperation.