Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Hons Dawson, Penn, Skelton & Turnbull attend CPA Regional Conference in Jamaica

From left: Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8); Deputy Speaker Hon Karl Dawson (R1); and Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) at the 48th Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic (CAA) Region, in Jamaica. Photo: HoA
The conference convened parliamentarians, presiding officers, clerks, and parliamentary officials from across the region to examine the evolving role of parliaments in an era of rapid technological change, digital transformation, and shifting democratic expectations. Photo: HoA
The conference convened parliamentarians, presiding officers, clerks, and parliamentary officials from across the region to examine the evolving role of parliaments in an era of rapid technological change, digital transformation, and shifting democratic expectations. Photo: HoA
Deputy Speaker for the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands, Honourable Dr Karl Dawson (R1), shares his insights at the CPA Regional Conference in Jamaica. Photo: HoA
Deputy Speaker for the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands, Honourable Dr Karl Dawson (R1), shares his insights at the CPA Regional Conference in Jamaica. Photo: HoA
Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) at the 48th Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic (CAA) Region. Photo: HoA
Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) at the 48th Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic (CAA) Region. Photo: HoA
OCHO RIOS, Jamaica- The Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands (VI), Honourable Dr Karl Dawson (R1), led a VI delegation comprising Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8); Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL); and Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), to the 48th Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic (CAA) Region, held at the Moon Palace Hotel in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, from August 31 to September 4, 2026.

Under the theme “Strengthening Parliaments in the Digital Age,” the conference convened parliamentarians, presiding officers, clerks, and parliamentary officials from across the region to examine the evolving role of parliaments in an era of rapid technological change, digital transformation, and shifting democratic expectations.

Other members of the VI delegation were Deputy Clerk, Linton V. Leonard, and Secretary of the House of Assembly, Shakiara B. Cupid.

The House of Assembly, in a press release today, September 15, 2026, said its active participation in the 48th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Regional Conference reaffirmed its commitment to regional collaboration and institutional innovation.

'Timely & informative'- Hon Dawson

Deputy Speaker Honourable Dawson said, “Attending this year’s CPA Regional Conference was timely and transformative. It highlighted the shared challenges facing parliaments across the region and provided a valuable forum to develop solutions collectively. As we modernise for the digital age, we must uphold accountability, inclusivity, and public trust while strengthening parliamentary democracy for future generations.”

Over five days, delegates participated in high-level discussions on parliamentary modernisation, artificial intelligence governance, inclusivity and accessibility for persons with disabilities, youth participation through the Virtual Regional Youth Parliament, and the empowerment of women in political life through the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Conference.

A standout moment, the HoA said, was the keynote address by Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Dr the Most Honourable Andrew M. Holness, who underscored the vital role of parliaments in fostering regional cooperation, democratic resilience, and good governance.

Renewed commitment

Deputy Clerk Linton V. Leonard attended the 19th Presiding Officers and Clerks Conference, where sessions focused on capacity building, institutional oversight, budgeting and financing, and inter-parliamentary networking. The insights gained, the press release stated, will inform ongoing efforts to strengthen the administrative and operational effectiveness of the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands.

The conference closed with a renewed commitment to collaboration among CPA CAA member jurisdictions, drawing on shared experiences and best practices to build parliamentary institutions that are more resilient, inclusive, and equipped for the demands of the digital era.

14 Responses to “Hons Dawson, Penn, Skelton & Turnbull attend CPA Regional Conference in Jamaica ”

  • local boy (15/09/2026, 14:25) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    We only now knowing this when they done comeback. Our moneys continue spending without our knowledge before hand while our woes remains unresolved. I can't wait to get ALL OF THEM OUT and bring in the NEW 13.
    • In God trust me, only (15/09/2026, 17:56) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      @ Local boy: First of all you openly admitted that you are a boy. Local or not, a boy is a boy, not yet an adult male. This stupid talk that "all thirteen must go.", in reference to our legal elected political leaders is at be juvenile talk. It is impossible that nothing good were done by any of the thirteen serving political ministers. However, some of the thirteen are not qualified to be reelected next coming general elections next year because of wrong actions and inactions to address the right issues rightfully, nor do they have any good intention to do so.
      The evidences are as clear as an uncloudy day in the B.V.I who these need-to-political minister are. In spite of this truth, many voters have a yesman mindset, and an open hand to receive bribes, bribes hand out and bribes acepted is normal, especially close to each general elections time, factual truth
    • @local boy (18/09/2026, 04:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Government's PR should be putting that information out, not the travelers. But over the last few years, secret has been the code. Really can't blame the opposition because I when they talk too much they get sidelined.
  • nonsense (15/09/2026, 14:27) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    These guys look so over the hill, we need fresh blood, new long range thinkers. This is just not IT. What are they bringing back, absolutely nothing. Please stop traveling on the People's dime. If they had to take the money out of their own pockets, none of them would be going anywhere. What a travesty.
    • gross (16/09/2026, 07:15) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      Male leadership is way past dead. The patriarchy experiment has destroyed the world. Ladies we will step back and let them eat each other. No more free labor or enabling. The healing of Mother Earth can begin. We will restore her without them.
  • lord o. (15/09/2026, 14:33) Like (13) Dislike (10) Reply
    Why Jamaica. What are they expecting to learn. ? The most corrupt and dictatorship place in the Caribbean where the Prime Minister put all his family in high government position put his wife as speaker of the house, Cant be more corrupt and dictating than that...Plus ru.ours have it that he cant account for billions of hurricane relief money...Not a good example country..
    • Prophecy (16/09/2026, 16:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ lord o. In the history of any country in the Caribbean can you recall and head of state being convicted and charged in another country for illegal activities? Check if Jamaica is among them.
  • you watch (15/09/2026, 15:44) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    The opposition travel as much as the premier
  • west end (15/09/2026, 16:02) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    Karl Dawson less bad. This man barely do anything for the territory during his time in.
  • Wowwwwww (15/09/2026, 16:15) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    These guys look old and tired.
  • tola boy (15/09/2026, 18:46) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I wonder if they went to look for our $2.5m. That walked out the treasury. Did they made a missing report to the Jamdown Police.
  • ? (15/09/2026, 20:03) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    They all been taken care of by sowandie for joining the indigenous entitlement elites club and get rid of Myron, they will go see the kangaroos in Australia next.
  • TOLA BOY (15/09/2026, 20:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION , THE ANSWER IS " N O P E "
  • Larkin (15/09/2026, 20:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    But why Jamaica doesn’t need any haters down there.


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.
Video Ad


Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.