House Speaker Woods Elected as Chair of CPA Small Branches  

Valerie Woods, the newly elected Chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Small Branches network and Speaker of the National Assembly of Belize, has pledged to strengthen and renew the CPA’s focus on supporting small branches and their parliaments. In her acceptance speech, the chairperson expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Members of the CPA Small Branches for their trust and support in electing her. Woods emphasized the importance of small legislatures within the Commonwealth coming together to tackle common challenges and share their experiences. This was a key message at the Fortieth CPA Small Branches Conference.  The Chairperson of the CPA Small Branches holds an important officer role within the CPA’s governance structure. Woods will sit on the CPA International Executive Committee, ensuring that the voices of the small branches are heard within the association’s governing body.