The Premier welcomed 45 overseas delegates to the 30th Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) yesterday.

Commonwealth countries from the region of the Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic will participate in the week-long Conference at the Hamilton Princess until Saturday, July 16. The last Regional Conference was held in Grenada.

Yesterday?s official opening ceremony was presided over by the Bermuda branch of CPA?s two Joint Presidents, Alf Oughton MBE, who is also the President of the Senate, and Stanley Lowe, who is also the Speaker of the House of Assembly.

Our branch?s Vice Presidents are Premier Alex Scott and Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons.

After the National Youth Jazz Ensemble performed for the delegates and scores of local parliamentarians Premier Alex Scott said ?the only thing to do now would be to sing?.

?Bermuda is a nation that prides itself on its hospitality and when the opportunity presented itself to host this thirtieth Regional Conference, we jumped at the opportunity to share our country with you,? Mr. Scott said yesterday morning. ?The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association?s strength lies in the diversity of its membership and the unique and beneficial relationships that have been forged over these many years.?

?Within each CPA member country there are three distinct and independent circles of work and influence,? he said. ?There is the Governmental and Ministerial circle, the Parliamentary circle and a circle of non-governmental organisations and groups.

?The Governmental and Ministerial circle is the policy and decision making level in our various countries whereas, our Parliamentary circles can be understood as the political grass roots and committee level where ideas and strategies are designed and carried forward. At the level of the non-governmental circle we connect with the aspirations of our everyday citizens for effective and tangible improvements to their lives and those of their families,? he said. ?The basic principle of success in our respective countries has been partnership between the three circles and between our various Governments on matters of common interest.

Mr. Scott said conferences such as these allow parliamentarians to dialogue and network with each other as well as peruse specialised publications so that they are able to stay current even when unable to travel overseas.

?Such is the power of the new technology,? he said. ?Please take every opportunity to collaborate, share ideas and determine the future direction of our respective countries.?

The Premier said topics discussed at the Conference would be democracy, trade and investment, the rule of law and human rights.

Sustainable development and the alleviation of poverty will also be on the agenda, including talks on ?effective population policies and sound management of technology,? he said.

?None of us has all the answers but when we come together, share our experiences and engage in meaningful dialogue regarding all issues that we face, progress can be made and indeed will be made,? he said.

The first topic up for discussion yesterday was Integrity in Public Life.

But Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons said he thought the planned plenary session on the role of parliamentary committees being led by the Bahamas, was certainly a topic that Bermuda is currently grappling with.

?I think particularly of the role that the Public Accounts Committee can and should play in the overall system of parliamentary accountability,? he said. ?There are also interesting views on the more active role that parliamentary committees could play in the effective review and debate of legislation.?

Mr. Gibbons invited the delegates to see as much as they can of the Island during their short visit, and quoted Mark Twain who once called Bermuda: ?The biggest small place in the world?.