Bermuda is playing host this week as delegates from the Americas, Atlantic and Caribbean regions gather at the 30th Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

Premier Alexander Scott will open the proceedings this morning in the Gazebo Lounge of the Fairmont Hamilton Princess hotel.

This will kick off a week of high level meetings where delegates will discuss a diverse list of issues of particular concern to member countries such as Integrity in Public Life, The Role of Legislators in combating crime and the Challenges of the Tourism Industry for small islands.

While discussions and debate will dominate the bulk of the event, there will also be a day devoted to the Youth Parliamentarians on July 14.

There will be about 20 Youth Parliamentarians involved with 10 of those coming from overseas.

In addition to what will be a full week of meeting, however, the delegates will tour several sites including walking tours of St. George?s and Dockyard and a visit to the Bermuda Aquarium and Zoo.

?We are extremely happy to be able to host a conference of this calibre in Bermuda,? conference chairman and Senate President Alfred Oughton said.

Delegates will be arriving from Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Barbados and the British Virgin Islands among other countries.

Roughly 50 delegates are expected to attend.

?We welcome this opportunity to engage in dialogue, share experiences and renew friendships. In an increasingly global world where technology is making borders disappear, small island nations must work together for our mutual benefit,? Mr. Oughton said

Mr. Oughton is the conference chair but he shares responsibility for the organisation of the event with House Speaker Stanley Lowe and Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield. Minister Butterfield is leading the Bermuda delegation.

The conference concludes on Saturday.