The impact of Covid-19 on the British Islands & Mediterranean Region (BIMR) has been profound and far-reaching. Seeking to unpack this, four members of the CPA BIMR Working Group on Covid-19 volunteered to lead a virtual event focusing on a key aspect of their branch’s response to the challenges of the pandemic.

Responses to Covid-19 had previously been chosen by CPA BIMR branches as the strategic theme for the period 2020-21, at the latest virtual AGM hosted by Malta in September 2020. On behalf of all CPA BIMR branches, CPA UK has now published the final report of the 2020-21 Covid-19 strategic theme.

Download the report here.

Members of the Working Group explored the following Covid-19 challenges, which are reflected in the report: 

• Recovery (led by MLA Leona Roberts, Falkland Islands); 
• Borders: Residence, travel and tourism (led by Rob Callister MHK, Isle of Man); 
• Health and “Social Impact” (led by Steven Linares MP, Gibraltar); and 
• Agile and Effective Parliaments (led by Rhianon Passmore MS, Wales).

Branches were asked to submit questions to facilitators, and examples of how their legislatures were responding to the challenges of Covid-19. The discussion was open, collaborative and productive, allowing individual colleagues and Branches to share lessons learnt and reflect on mutual challenges.

CPA UK is part of the British Islands and Mediterranean Region (BIMR) and also serves as its Secretariat. Along with CPA UK, the other branches that make up CPA BIMR are: Alderney, Cyprus, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Malta, Northern Ireland, St Helena, Scotland and Wales.