National Assembly Attends Global Conference

BASSETERRE – The National Assembly of St. Kitts and Nevis wrapped up a week of parliamentary diplomacy at the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth in New Delhi, India, from January 14-18.

Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Lanein Blanchette led the delegation, accompanied by Deputy Speaker Senator Hon. Latoya Jones and Deputy Clerk Mauriel Knight, representing the federation among 45 legislatures from across the Commonwealth.

The conference, which has convened since 1969 to promote parliamentary democracy among Commonwealth nations, focused on three critical contemporary issues: artificial intelligence’s expanding role in Parliament, strategies to increase citizen engagement beyond the ballot box, and social media’s influence on parliamentary proceedings.

“The Conference offers the opportunity to facilitate inter-regional training and exchange best practices, while serving as an opportune catalyst for parliamentary diplomacy,” according to the Assembly’s official statement. During the five-day gathering, the St. Kitts and Nevis delegation engaged in discussions with multiple representatives, including Hon. Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Member of Parliament for West Delhi, officials from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The delegation also met with Caribbean regional branches of the conference, strengthening ties within the region while addressing shared parliamentary challenges.

The conference underscored the evolving nature of legislative work in the digital age, as parliaments worldwide grapple with integrating new technologies while maintaining democratic accountability and public trust.

The National Assembly’s participation reflects St. Kitts and Nevis’ commitment to modernizing its legislative practices and engaging in international parliamentary cooperation.