Two Manx parliamentarians will be addressing their Commonwealth colleagues at the 56th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Kenya. Department of Infrastructure Minister Hon Phil Gawne, MHK, and Juan Watterson MHK, members of the Isle of Man branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) will be delivering presentations at the Commonwealth’s largest political gathering, to be hosted in Nairobi by the Parliament of Kenya from September 10 to 19. Mr Watterson’s address will be on strengthening financial oversight in small parliaments, while Mr Gawne will speak on sustainable development, both MHKs drawing on their considerable individual expertise in areas which are set to feature on an agenda aimed at seeking solutions to global environmental challenges and strengthening parliamentary institutions. Mr Watterson said: ‘Sharing a platform with leading thinkers in these fields is recognition of the work Mr Gawne and I are engaged on domestically in these two key areas. It also provides an opportunity for the Isle of Man to make a significant input to the sessions through the combined expertise we can share with fellow parliamentarians and for us to learn from other professionals in their chosen fields. ‘The Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference offers a forum in which to share experience and ideas that will help shape future policy and performance, and encourage co-operation between member countries. In all this I believe the Isle of Man has much to offer.’ -ends-