The Opening Ceremony was held on June 9^th, 2026 with the national anthem of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, sung by members of the Parliament Choir. This was followed by brief remarks from the President of the Senate, Sen. the Hon. Wade Mark. The ceremony concluded with brief remarks by the Honourable Jagdeo Singh, MP Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The conference is convened every two (2) years and hosted on a rotational basis among CAPAC member jurisdictions. The Conference serves as a key forum through which Members share experiences, discuss emerging challenges in public financial scrutiny, and examine developments in best practices that enhance accountability, transparency, and good governance. It also provides the opportunity to convene the General Meeting of the Association, during which elections to the CAPAC Executive Board and Executive Committee are conducted, as necessary.

Through presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, participants examined innovative approaches to strengthening Public Accounts Committee (PAC) independence, enhancing oversight practices, and maximizing the impact of PAC recommendations on governance and accountability outcomes.

The conference aimed to strengthen the effectiveness and resilience of PACs within the Commonwealth, with particular focus on the Caribbean region, and to advance the framework for ongoing dialogue, sustained collaboration and continued engagement among Commonwealth nations.

There were a total of twenty one (21) participating legislatures, and fifty five (55) participants – thirty three (33) in person participants, and twenty two (22) virtual participants.

At the conclusion of the programme, participants were able to gain skills and insights in the following areas:

• To examine and reinforce institutional frameworks including legal, procedural safeguards that support the independence of PACs.
• To build technical capacity for effective public financial oversight.
• To examine real-life impact, of PACs by comparing national follow-up and monitoring mechanisms for implementing PAC recommendations.
• To enhance the platform for peer learning and technical exchange through shared experiences.
• To enhance regional cooperation among PACs.
• To strengthen the PAC networks across the Commonwealth by sharing lived experiences, deepening collaboration and expanding global professional networks.

Here are some photos from the event:

You can view more photos of the Conference by following the links below:

Day 1: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1414058727415017&type=3

Day 2: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1414956077325282&type=3

The Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago celebrated Commonwealth Day 2025 with a cultural presentation, held on Thursday 13 March, 2025 at the Parliamentary Complex, Port of Spain. Students from secondary schools across Trinidad and Tobago were invited to participate in the celebrations.

The First Peoples, Syrian, European, Indian, Chinese, Hispanic and African cultures were featured in different forms, such as art, video, dance and readings. The participating schools included Couva East Secondary School, Pleasantville Secondary School, Tunapuna Sceondary School, St. Mary’s College, Arbor Private School and Diego Martin Central Secondary School.

Paired with a culinary experience for attendees, the programme achieved its aim to bring awareness of the Commonwealth’s shared values and promote unity in diversity.

Take a look at some photos from the cultural extravaganza by following the link: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=ttparliament&set=a.1045073647646862

The objectives of the programme are:

• To Empower: Provide mentorship and guidance to young women, helping them understand their potential as leaders and change-makers.
• To Inspire: Facilitate conversations with influential female leaders who have broken barriers in their fields.
• To Educate: Raise awareness on the importance of gender equality and the role young women can play in shaping a feminist future.
• To Engage: Foster an open dialogue between young women and established female leaders, encouraging mentorship relationships and empowering the next generation.

This Mentorship Programme for Young Women offers a transformative opportunity for the next generation of female leaders by creating a safe space for meaningful interaction with influential women in politics, media, and advocacy.

At the official launch of the programme on March 7, 2025 at the Parliamentary Complex in Port of Spain, young women heard from Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bridgid Annisette-George, Independent Senator, Sen. Hazel Thompson-Ahye, Opposition Member and Member of Parliament for St. Augustine, Ms. Khadijah Ameen and Minister in the Office of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs, Sen. the Hon. Renuka Sagramsingh-Sooklal. The launch provided a platform for inspiring dialogues and guidance from these leading female figures in politics and society, who shared their experiences, wisdom, and insights with the next generation of women.

This programme is centered around the United Nations’ call for action to unlock equal rights, power, and opportunities for all, with a focus on empowering young women and adolescent girls as agents of transformative change.

Take a look at some photos from the launch by following the link: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=ttparliament&set=a.1040295371458023