This webinar is the first of two webinars for Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth on the theme of COVID-19 and Independent Parliaments.

The webinar features Speakers from across the Commonwealth discussing the nature of Parliaments as independent institutions and the impact that COVID-19 has had on their ability to conduct basic and essential legislative, oversight and representatives function. Panellists discussed solutions to ensure Parliaments remain robust and effective institutions. The panellists for this webinar were:

Hon. Niki Rattle, Speaker of the Parliament of the Cook Islands

Hon. Mohamed Nasheed, GCSK, Speaker, People's Majlis of Maldives

Hon. Kate Doust, President of the Legislative Council of Western Australia

Hon. Hitendra Nath Goswami, Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly Matthew Salk, Head of Parliamentary Development, CPA. The webinar was moderated by James Pinnell, Programmes Manager, CPA and closing remarks were given by Stephen Twigg, Secretary-General, CPA.