Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today inaugurated the annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

An inaugural programme of the CPA conference was held around 9:30am with Bangladesh Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury in the chair.

Around 10:30am, the prime minister reached the venue where over 550 delegates from 144 national and provincial parliaments of 44 countries joined her. A total of 52 countries are members of CPA.

The CPA and Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad are jointly hosting the conference with the theme: Continuing to enhance the high standards of performance of parliamentarians.

Fighting corruption, empowering women and ensuring transparency in the activities of top officials of Commonwealth countries are likely to feature prominently at the conference.