The General Assembly of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) adopted constitutional amendments on Thursday, marking a historic step in the Association's transition from a charity registered under United Kingdom law to an international inter-parliamentary organisation. The Assembly convened during the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Cape Town. This decision represents the culmination of a process pursued by CPA Branches over several decades, with the CPA Africa Region consistently advocating for a legal status that more accurately reflects the Association's international membership and activities. The General Assembly first considered the matter at the 60th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in 2014, but deferred a decision to better understand its legal and institutional implications. The issue remained under discussion at the 62nd CPC in London in 2016, and on 16 December 2016, the General Assembly approved the establishment.
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