Members of Parliament of the Cayman Islands recently joined parliamentary representatives across the Caribbean, Americas and the Atlantic (CAA) Region for the 48^th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Regional Conference, held in Jamaica from 30^th August to 5^th September 2026.

Hosted by the Parliament of Jamaica under the theme “Strengthening Parliaments in the Digital Age”, the conference brought together Speakers, Presiding Officers, Members of Parliament, Clerks, and parliamentary officials from across the region to exchange knowledge, share best practices and consider how legislatures can respond to the opportunities and challenges presented by an increasingly digital environment.

Cayman Islands Delegation

Representing the Parliament of the Cayman Islands at the conference were:

• D. Ezzard Miller, Speaker
• Pearlina McGaw-Lumsden, JP, MP, Deputy Speaker
• Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, MP, Minister
• A. Royston Tatum, Cert. Hon., JP, MP
• Zena Merren Chin, Clerk and Chief Officer

Throughout the conference, delegates participated in discussions covering the use of digital technology in parliamentary work, artificial intelligence, youth engagement, parliamentary independence and the role of legislatures in strengthening regional cooperation.

The opening ceremony was held on Monday, 31^st August 2026, with Dr the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, delivering the keynote address.

The programme included the 16^th Regional Conference of Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), where discussions focused on strengthening women’s leadership and safeguarding women in public life. Sessions addressed issues including online harassment and security for female Parliamentarians. Hon. Ebanks-Wilks presented on “Drawing Lines to Lift Leadership”, and Hon. McGaw-Lumsden presented on “Safeguarding Women in Public Life”.

The 19^th CPA-CAA Presiding Officers and Clerks Conference was also held during the week. Presiding Officers considered parliamentary decorum, the effective use of Standing Orders, parliamentary privilege and the independence of Parliament in the digital age. Hon. Ezzard Miller presented on “The use of digital technology in Select Committees”. Clerks discussed capacity building and professional development, institutional oversight, budgeting and financing, and strengthening inter-parliamentary networks. Mrs. Zena Merren-Chin presented on “Budgeting and Financing”.

The week concluded with the Regional Annual General Meeting and the 19^th Virtual Caribbean Regional Youth Parliament, held on 3^rd September under the theme “Youth Leadership in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” The Cayman Islands were represented by Youth Parliamentarians Rayne Harding and Dominic Anderson.

Participation in the Regional Conference provided the Cayman Islands delegation with an opportunity to exchange experiences with parliamentary colleagues from across the region and consider approaches that can support the continued modernisation, accessibility and effectiveness of Parliament.

The Parliament of the Cayman Islands remains committed to regional collaboration and continued engagement with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), providing opportunities for Members and parliamentary staff to share knowledge and strengthen parliamentary practice across the Commonwealth.