Belize’s House Speaker Valerie Woods has concluded a significant diplomatic mission in London, where she participated in strategic coordination meetings at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association headquarters. The high-level engagement took place from February 22-26, 2026, bringing together key Commonwealth parliamentary leadership.
In her dual capacity as Chair of the CPA Small Branches network and member of the Association’s Coordinating Committee, Speaker Woods conducted substantive discussions with CPA Secretary-General Stephen Twigg, Deputy Secretary-General Jarvis Matiya, and current CPA Chairperson Ian Liddell-Grainger. The meetings centered on implementing the CPA’s newly unveiled Strategic Plan, which outlines ambitious initiatives to enhance democratic governance across Commonwealth nations.
The diplomatic agenda featured expanded coordination sessions with representatives from the Commonwealth Secretariat, the CPA UK Branch, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. These multilateral discussions explored innovative partnership frameworks designed to strengthen parliamentary institutions and promote cross-Commonwealth cooperation on governance matters.
Concurrently, Speaker Woods held bilateral talks with Belize’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Her Excellency Cherie Nisbet, reviewing matters of mutual interest between Belize and the United Kingdom. The meetings at the Belize High Commission provided an opportunity to align diplomatic efforts with parliamentary initiatives.
The CPA’s Small Branches network, which Speaker Woods leads, represents 51 parliamentary jurisdictions across the Commonwealth with populations under one million. The Coordinating Committee she serves on comprises the CPA’s executive leadership and chairs of its specialized networks for Women Parliamentarians and Parliamentarians with Disabilities.