PM Modi Inaugurates 28th Commonwealth Speakers’ Conference in New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) at the historic Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, bringing together parliamentary leaders from across the Commonwealth to deliberate on contemporary challenges facing democracies.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union Ministers, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Presiding Officers of Commonwealth Parliaments, Members of Parliament and other dignitaries attended the inaugural session.

Delivering the welcome address, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla highlighted the profound impact of rapid technological advancements on governance and democratic institutions. He said Artificial Intelligence (AI) and social media have enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of legislatures, but cautioned that their misuse has led to challenges such as misinformation, cybercrime and social polarisation. Stressing the need for collective legislative responsibility, he underscored the importance of ethical AI and credible, transparent and accountable social media frameworks to safeguard democratic values.

The Speaker noted that AI and digital technologies are increasingly being adopted in the Parliament of India and State Legislatures, with institutions moving towards paperless functioning and unified digital platforms, setting new standards of transparency, efficiency and accessibility.

Highlighting legislative reforms, Shri Birla said the repeal of obsolete laws and enactment of new welfare-oriented legislations have accelerated India’s progress towards becoming a developed and self-reliant nation. Reflecting on over seven decades of India’s parliamentary journey, he said people-centric policies, welfare legislation and a robust electoral system have strengthened democratic institutions and deepened public faith in democracy.

Emphasising the relevance of Commonwealth parliamentary platforms, the Speaker said forums like CSPOC enable Presiding Officers from diverse democracies to share best practices and collectively address evolving global challenges. He stressed that maintaining the dignity, credibility and prestige of parliamentary institutions must remain a paramount priority for all democracies.

Welcoming the delegates, Shri Birla said India, often described as the ‘Mother of Democracy’, offers a fitting venue for such deliberations. He added that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India has emerged as the world’s fastest-growing major economy, with its leadership providing solutions to global challenges and offering direction and stability to the world.

The Conference will deliberate on key issues including AI in Parliament, the impact of social media on parliamentarians, strategies to enhance public understanding and participation in parliamentary processes, and the health and wellbeing of Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff.

The 28th CSPOC brings together Speakers and Presiding Officers from 53 national parliaments of Commonwealth countries, along with delegates from semi-autonomous parliaments and international parliamentary bodies, marking one of the largest such gatherings aimed at strengthening parliamentary democracy across the Commonwealth.