68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Bridgetown, Barbados on 5-12 October 2025

Lord Fakafanua, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga, is currently in Bridgetown, Barbados, as head of a delegation from the Legislative Assembly of Tonga attending the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC), held from October 5-12, 2025. The Speaker is accompanied at the 68th CPC by the Deputy Speaker Lord Tu’iha’angana, as well as the Chief Clerk (Mrs Gloria Pole’o) and the Legislative Counsels (Ms. Silivia ‘Atiola and Mrs Annis Taumoepeau).

Convening under the theme “The Commonwealth: A Global Partner,” Tonga’s participation reaffirms the Legislative Assembly’s commitment to democratic values, good governance, sharing international best practices and international parliamentary cooperation. The CPC, one of the largest annual gatherings of parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth, serves as a vital platform for discussing and exchanging ideas on strengthening democratic institutions, promoting good governance, and addressing global challenges through parliamentary diplomacy.

As a Member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s (CPA) Executive Committee representing the Pacific region, Lord Fakafanua engaged in key discussions on governance issues, including updates to the CPA’s legal status, financial reporting, and planning for future activities. He also conducted bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other Commonwealth nations, including CPA Secretary-General Stephen Twigg, to discuss matters of mutual interest and strengthen parliamentary ties.

A notable highlight was Lord Fakafanua’s invitation to a Roundtable Discussion with young parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth and youth parliamentarians from Barbados and the region. Focused on “Staying Safe and Free to Thrive: Empowering Young People to Overcome Modern Challenges,” the session addressed critical topics such as cybersecurity and youth violence. The Speaker shared insights from Tonga and his experiences as a young parliamentarian to inform policy-driven solutions that would help the youth.

The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker attended several sessions of the CPA Small Branches Network where various topics under the theme 'Shaping the Future for CPA Small Branches: Strengthening Parliamentary Independence and Capacity in Small Jurisdictions' explored ways of improving parliamentary governance in small island jurisdictions. In the margins of the conference, Lord Fakafanua also participated in the CPA Small Branches Steering Committee, which met to discuss the strategic direction for the network.

On the margins of the CPC, the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly participated in the 59th Society of Clerks at the Table (SOCATT) Annual General Meeting, where Clerks from across the Commonwealth convened for capacity-building discussions on relevant topics and best practices.

Hosted by the Parliament of Barbados and the CPA Barbados branch, the 68th CPC brought together over 600 delegates from more than 180 national, state, and provincial legislatures. Tonga remains an active member of the CPA supporting its initiatives through participating in global democratic dialogue through parliamentary cooperation, networking, and capacity building. As the Legislative Assembly’s 2021-2025 is drawing to a close, this was an excellent opportunity for the Tonga delegation to take stock of best practices across the Commonwealth and to learn more on how we can continue to improve the work of the Assembly in the upcoming new parliamentary term.