About the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament is a member of the:

• Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
• British Irish Parliamentary Assembly

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)

The CPA consists of national, provincial, state and territorial parliaments across the Commonwealth. It promotes parliamentary democracy and good governance through a range of conferences, programmes, project and activities.

Members of the Scottish Parliament are all members of the CPA Scotland Branch. There are 180 CPA Branches, divided into 9 geographic regions, and each region has its own programme of activities. The Scotland Branch is part of the British Islands and Mediterranean Region.

The Scotland Branch office holders are:

• Alison Johnstone MSP (President)

and the Scotland Branch Executive Committee members (elected 20 September 2023):

• Jeremy Balfour MSP
• Sarah Boyack MSP
• Stuart McMillan MSP

Read the CPA Scotland Branch Annual Report 2022-23 (156KB, pdf) posted 21 September 2023

For previous annual reports, papers and information about the work of the CPA Scotland Branch, including the Branch Rules, please email: [email protected]

Learn more about the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

CPA International Executive Committee (ExCo)

The ExCo controls and manages the activities and business of the CPA.

The Scottish Parliament member on the ExCo is:

• Stuart McMillan MSP

Learn more about the CPA International Executive Committee

Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP)

The CWP was formed to:

• increase the number of female elected representatives in parliaments across the Commonwealth
• ensure that women’s issues are discussed in parliamentary debate and legislation

Scottish Parliament members of the CWP are:

• Sarah Boyack MSP
• Michelle Thomson MSP

Learn more about the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians

Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD)

The CPwD was established to:

• facilitate activities and programmes to champion and increase the representation of persons with disabilities in Commonwealth parliaments
• to work towards the mainstreaming of disability considerations in all CPA activities and programmes

The Scottish Parliament member on the CPwD is:

• Jeremy Balfour MSP

Learn more about the CPA Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities network

British Irish Parliamentary Assembly (BIPA)

The BIPA discuss issues of concern and interest between political representatives in Britain and Ireland.

The Scottish Parliament delegation is:

• Annabelle Ewing MSP, Deputy Presiding Officer (delegation lead)
• Emma Harper MSP
• Ross Greer MSP
• Pauline McNeill MSP
• Tess White MSP

Learn more about the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly