NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) on January 15 at the Central Hall of the old Parliament building, now called Samvidhan Sadan. The conference, hosted by the Indian parliament after 16 years, will bring together senior parliamentary leaders from across the Commonwealth.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who is chairing the conference, said the event would be attended by 76 Speakers and Presiding Officers from Commonwealth countries, along with other parliamentary delegates. India had earlier hosted the conference in 1971, 1986, and 2010.
Briefing the media, Birla said the main focus of the discussions would be the growing role of artificial intelligence and social media in parliamentary work. “Delegates will discuss how new technologies can improve efficiency, transparency, and public engagement, while also addressing ethical concerns and challenges for democracy,” he said.
Birla said the Standing Committee of CSPOC would meet on January 14 to review the organisation’s ongoing work. “The Prime Minister will inaugurate the conference on January 15 at 10.30 am and deliver the keynote address. After that, he will have an informal interaction with Speakers and Presiding Officers,” Birla added.
He said two major themes would be discussed on January 15: the use of AI in Parliament, including the need for balance between innovation and oversight, and the impact of social media on parliamentarians. On January 16, the conference will focus on ways to improve public understanding of Parliament and encourage citizen participation beyond voting.
Other sessions will address the security, health, and well-being of Members of Parliament and parliamentary officials. A special plenary session on the role of Speakers and Presiding Officers in strengthening democratic institutions will also be held and chaired by Birla, who will deliver the keynote address.
Birla said delegates would be welcomed in line with India’s tradition of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’. At the end of the conference on January 16, the chairmanship of CSPOC will be handed over to Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the UK House of Commons.
53 countries to participate
This year’s conference will see participation from parliaments of 53 Commonwealth countries, including 23 bicameral and 30 unicameral legislatures. Apart from technology-related issues, discussions are expected on global challenges such as climate change, terrorism, and cybercrime, with members sharing experiences. The event underlines India’s commitment to parliamentary cooperation worldwide.