By RATNAJYOTI DUTTA
NEW DELHI, 16 Jan: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday said democratic institutions remain strong and relevant when they function with transparency, inclusivity, responsiveness and accountability.
Birla made the remarks while delivering the valedictory address at the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC 2026), which concluded in New Delhi after three days of deliberations.
The conference, inaugurated on Thursday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ended with a renewed collective commitment to make democratic institutions more people-centric.
Birla said transparency builds public trust by ensuring openness in decision-making, while inclusivity ensures that every voice, especially those from marginalised sections, is heard and respected in the democratic process.
During the valedictory session, Birla formally handed over the chairmanship of the 29th CSPOC to Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the UK House of Commons, and extended his best wishes for the success of the next conference in London.
Recalling the origins of CSPOC, Birla said the platform was established 56 years ago to promote continuous dialogue among democratic legislatures of the Commonwealth and to explore innovative ways to enhance parliamentary efficiency and responsiveness.
Birla noted that the 28th edition of the conference carried this legacy forward with renewed vigour and substance.
Highlighting a key achievement of the New Delhi meet, Birla said the conference witnessed unprecedented participation, with the largest number of countries taking part in CSPOC’s history.
Birla expressed heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for inaugurating the conference at the historic Constitution House and for delivering an inspiring address that underscored India’s rich democratic traditions and its commitment to the global community.
Birla acknowledged the contributions of the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), whose presence enriched the deliberations.
