The 47th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference officially opened in the capital on Monday.

The body was addressed by Acting Prime Minister, the Hon. Chester Cooper as well as Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Michael Pintard.

During his remarks Mr. Coopers said, “here in the Caribbean our parliaments face pressures that are both acute and unique. The existential threat of climate change, the strain of limited economies and revenue streams, the impact of migration, the uncertainties of geopolitical issues. We represent small populations but we debate large questions. The future of entire nations, the survival of cultures, the dignity of our people in a turbulent world. What unites us all throughout these stories, whether it’s in Nassau or London, Washington, Pretoria, New Delhi, Bridgetown or Hamilton, is the recurring question can parliament withstand the test.

For his part, the Leader of the Opposition told the group that small island development states face many issues that demand an unbiased response. He said, “the theme before us Deepening of Regional Democracies is an important one. Your theme addresses the issue of an independent parliament. And again, this theme could not be more fitting, democracy is only as strong as the independence of its institutions. At the heart of that independence is the legislature where laws are debated, policies are scrutinized and the voice of the people is protected from the overreach of the executive power.”

The conference ends on September 13th.