Speaker of Jamaica’s House of Representatives Juliet Holness has been elected vice-chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), becoming the first female presiding officer from Jamaica to hold the position.
Holness was elected during the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, and will serve a one-year term.
Her election marks Jamaica’s return to the CPA vice-chairpersonship after 33 years. The last Jamaican to hold the post was former House Speaker Headley Cunningham, who served from 1992 to 1993.
Holness previously served as chair of the CPA Caribbean, Americas and the Atlantic (CAA) Region. Her tenure included Jamaica’s hosting of the 48th CPA Caribbean, Americas and the Atlantic Regional Conference from August 30 to September 5th.
She credited presiding officers and delegates from across the region for supporting her candidacy, describing her election as the result of a collective regional effort.
Holness said one of her priorities will be ensuring that the perspectives and experiences of small states and smaller jurisdictions remain represented in the CPA’s work.
In her new role, she will continue representing the Caribbean, Americas and the Atlantic Region within the association’s international governance structure and will also serve on the CPA Finance Subcommittee.
Holness assumes the vice-chairpersonship at a significant period for the organization as it implements its 2026–2029 Strategic Plan and transitions to a new international legal status following legislative changes in the United Kingdom recognizing the CPA as an international interparliamentary organization.
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference is the CPA’s principal annual gathering, bringing together presiding officers, parliamentarians and parliamentary officials from across the Commonwealth.
This year’s conference is being held under the theme, “Strengthening International Law and Parliamentary Democracy in a Changing World Order: Commonwealth Leadership.”
Established in 1911, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association represents nearly 180 parliaments and legislatures across nine Commonwealth regions.
