The Head of State His Excellency Paul BIYA has called on the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference to make their deliberations pertinent to the expressed theme of their sitting, and to participate efficiently in the implementation of development goals in the post 2015 period. President Paul BIYA made the call in his opening speech of the 60th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference holding in Yaounde, under the theme: “Repositioning the Commonwealth for the post 2015 development agenda”.

The Congress Centre was full to capacity on this Monday 6th October 2014 with delegates from all the nine zones of the CPA present in Yaounde. Following speeches from various personalities including the Government Delegate to the Yaounde Urban Council and the Speaker of the National Assembly who is also the current President of the CPA, the Right Honourable CAVAYE YEGUIE DJIBRIL, the stage was set for the reading of the message of the Queen.

President Paul BIYA heartily welcomed all the delegates to Yaounde and saluted their decision to put their deliberations on the subject of development objectives. The President of the Republic said that commendable efforts had been made in some areas, such as education, vaccination, the fight against HIV/AIDS, etc. Difficulties were encountered in other areas, such as the reduction of poverty, which has not been very effective. The Head of State called on all the legislators to fight for meaningful development in their respective countries and to strive for a new world order with greater social justice and solidarity.

The ceremony ended with a group photograph with the Head of State and all the delegates attending the conference.

 

Download the speech of the Head of State (pdf)