Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, marking the largest gathering in the forum’s history.
The three-day event (January 14–16), chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, has drawn 61 Speakers and Presiding Officers from 42 Commonwealth countries and four semi-autonomous parliaments.
PM Modi’s Address
- Global South Focus: Modi underscored the importance of the Global South charting new pathways amid global transformation. He recalled India’s G20 presidency, where the priorities of the Global South were placed at the centre of the global agenda.
- Open-Source Innovation: He highlighted India’s efforts to build open-source technology platforms, enabling partner nations to replicate domestic systems for shared growth and inclusivity.
- Democratic Scale: Modi celebrated India’s 2024 general elections as the largest democratic exercise in human history, with nearly 980 million registered voters and record participation by women.
- Economic Achievements: He cited India’s rise as the fastest-growing major economy, the world’s largest digital payment system (UPI), second-largest steel producer, third-largest startup ecosystem, and fourth-largest rail network.
- Cultural Ethos: He invoked India’s tradition of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family), recalling humanitarian efforts during COVID-19 when India supplied medicines and vaccines to over 150 countries.
Lok Sabha Speaker’s Remarks
Om Birla praised Modi’s leadership, noting that India is becoming the world’s fastest-growing economy due to new policies. He stressed the theme of “Effective Delivery of Parliamentary Democracy,” calling for ethical AI use, combating misinformation, and enhancing transparency through technology.
Conference Themes
Discussions at CSPOC focus on:
- Artificial intelligence in parliamentary operations
- Social media’s impact on legislators
- Citizen engagement beyond elections
- Security and well-being of MPs and staff
Significance
This is the fourth time India has hosted CSPOC, after 1970–71, 1986, and 2010. Founded in 1969, CSPOC represents over 2.6 billion people, half of whom live in India. The conference aims to forge solutions for resilient, inclusive parliaments in a rapidly evolving world.
