The 48th Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) for the Caribbean, the Americas and the Atlantic Region kicked off on August 30, 2026 at Jamaica’s Moon Palace Resort, running through September 5. Hosting this year’s gathering, the CPA Jamaica Branch extended invitations to regional member branches, including the Nevis Island Branch, to join critical discussions focused on the future of legislative governance in an increasingly digitized world.
This year’s conference theme, “Strengthening Parliaments in the Digital Age,” brings together parliamentary delegates from 19 regional territories, including Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, and host nation Jamaica, to address how legislative bodies can adapt to new technologies while upholding core institutional values. Leading Nevis’ delegation is Hon. Michelle Slack-Clarke, President of the Nevis Island Assembly. Slack-Clarke will deliver a featured presentation titled “Maintaining Parliamentary Decorum in the Digital Age,” exploring the delicate balance between adopting innovative digital tools for governance and preserving the long-standing standards, traditions and institutional integrity that underpin credible parliamentary proceedings.
Slack-Clarke’s participation spotlights Nevis’ active role in shaping regional conversations around the evolving responsibilities of legislatures in the digital era. Beyond the main conference, the event will also host the 19th Regional Youth Parliament, scheduled to take place virtually on September 3, 2026. This year’s youth gathering centers on the theme “Youth Leadership in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” designed to elevate young voices in conversations about AI’s impact on regional governance and development.
Organizers opted for a virtual format this year to remove barriers to attendance, enabling broader, more inclusive participation from young emerging leaders across the Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic Region. The CPA Nevis Branch has nominated two young delegates, Ms. Shevonne Daniel and Mr. KJel Smithen, to represent Nevis in the virtual proceedings. The pair will join dozens of youth parliamentarians from across the region to debate the core motion: “Artificial Intelligence, Regional Dependence and the Caribbean’s Digital Future,” which examines both the transformative opportunities and unique challenges AI presents for the Caribbean’s digital transition.
The virtual Youth Parliament session is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. local time on September 3, and will be open to public viewing via a live stream on the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica (PBCJ) YouTube Channel and the official Jamaica Houses of Parliament web portal.
In a statement ahead of the event, the Nevis Island Assembly expressed that its delegation’s participation in both the main conference and the Regional Youth Parliament underscores Nevis’ long-standing commitment to active engagement in regional parliamentary cooperation. The territory remains dedicated to strengthening democratic parliamentary institutions, and equipping both current legislators and emerging young leaders to successfully navigate the opportunities and challenges of the rapidly evolving digital age. The Assembly also extended its well wishes to Daniel and Smithen, expressing confidence that the pair will deliver thoughtful contributions to this important regional dialogue.