By RATNAJYOTI DUTTA
NEW DELHI, 12 Jan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 28th edition of the Commonwealth Speakers’ Conference on 15 January in New Delhi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced on Monday.
The event reflects India’s continued commitment to strengthening democratic values and promoting parliamentary cooperation across the globe.
The conference marks the return of the prestigious global forum to New Delhi after a gap of 16 years, said Birla while addressing media persons at the Parliament House Annexe.
India has previously hosted the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) in 1971, 1986 and 2010.
Highlighting the thematic focus of this year’s gathering, Birla said the conference would place special emphasis on the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in parliamentary proceedings.
The three-day conference, beginning January 14 and concluding on January 16, will be attended by senior parliamentary leaders from across the Commonwealth. Dr Tulia Ackson, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and Dr Christopher Kalila, Chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), will attend as special invitees.
According to Birla, 42 countries have already confirmed participation. However, some nations including Cyprus and Uganda will be unable to attend due to their domestic commitments such as general elections and budget sessions. Neighbouring countries Pakistan and Bangladesh are not participating this year.
The conference will feature four workshop sessions on key contemporary issues: AI in Parliament—balancing innovation, oversight and adaptation; the impact of social media on parliamentarians; innovative strategies to enhance public understanding of Parliament and citizen participation beyond voting; and the security, health and wellbeing of Members of Parliament and parliamentary officials.
A special plenary session will focus on ‘The Role of Speakers and Presiding Officers in Maintaining Strong Democratic Institutions,’ on which Birla will deliver the keynote address.
At the conclusion of the conference on January 16, Birla will formally hand over the Chair of CSPOC to Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the UK House of Commons.
