CPC confce begins today

Bangladesh will seek support from foreign delegates, including speakers and deputy speakers of Commonwealth nations' parliaments, in addressing the Rohingya crisis during the 63rd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) that begins today in Dhaka.

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury made the comment while talking to reporters at her office in parliament yesterday.

Over 550 delegates from 144 national and provincial parliaments of 44 countries are scheduled to take part in the eight-day event, said sources at Bangladesh office of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).

The CPC is the annual conference of the CPA, formed in 1911. The event would bring together parliamentarians, parliamentary staffers and decision-makers from across the Commonwealth countries.

At present, 52 countries are members of the CPA. 

Although the conference will kick off today with the arrival of delegates, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also vice-patron of this year's CPC, will formally inaugurate the event on November 5 at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban's South Plaza.

Speaker Shirin Sharmin, chairperson of the CPA, will preside over the conference, while Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Mia will lead the Bangladesh delegation.

The speaker yesterday told reporters that Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali would brief the foreign delegates on the Rohingya issue on November 5 so that they could understand the issue better.

"Bangladesh wants the world community's support, and this message can be delivered at that briefing session,” she said, adding that many foreign lawmakers also wanted to know about the issue. “That's why we are holding the briefing session.”

The session will be held at Bangabandhu International Convention Centre.

The theme of the 63rd conference is “continuing to enhance the high standards of performance of parliamentarians.”

Before the conference's formal inauguration, small branches conference and meetings of steering committee, regional secretaries and different sub-committees of the CPA will be held at city's Radisson Blu Hotel.

Besides, eight workshops on different global issues, including climate change, poverty reduction, effective parliament and sustainable development, will be held at Bangabandhu International Convention Centre during the eight-day event.

Members of the CPA will elect their new chairperson for a three-year term in the conference, which will conclude with the adoption of a number of resolutions.

Over six lakh Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh following persecution by Myanmar security personnel in the country's Rakhine State since August.