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PM Modi Opens 28th Commonwealth Speakers' Conference in New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth in New Delhi. The high-level conference, chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, will see participation from 61 Speakers and Presiding Officers representing 42 Commonwealth countries. Key themes for discussion include the role of technology like AI in parliament, the impact of social media on lawmakers, and strategies to boost citizen engagement. The event, hosted by the Indian Parliament, is the largest edition of CSPOC in terms of participation.

Key Points: PM Modi Inaugurates Commonwealth Speakers' Conference 2026

  • PM Modi inaugurates global summit
  • 61 Speakers from 42 nations attending
  • Focus on AI, social media in parliaments
  • Aims to strengthen democratic institutions
2 min read

PM Modi inaugurates 28th Commonwealth Speakers' Conference

PM Modi inaugurates the 28th CSPOC in Delhi, a major global parliamentary summit with delegates from 42 Commonwealth nations.

"CSPOC will deliberate on a range of contemporary parliamentary issues to strengthen democratic institutions - Official Release"

New Delhi, January 15

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth, 2026 at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan.

Upon his arrival, the Prime Minister was greeted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh.

The high-level conference will be chaired by Birla and will feature 61 Speakers and Presiding Officers from 42 Commonwealth countries, along with representatives from four semi-autonomous parliaments, underscoring the event's global scale and significance.

Delegations from several countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, will also participate in the high-level gathering.

Other parties include the Deputy Speaker of Namibia, delegations from Trinidad and Tobago, Tonga, Cameroon, and Malaysia, and representatives from the Australian High Commission, led by High Commissioner Philip Green.

According to the release, CSPOC will deliberate on a range of contemporary parliamentary issues to strengthen democratic institutions and modern legislative practices.

Key themes include the evolving role of Speakers and Presiding Officers, technological innovation in parliamentary functioning, and enhancing citizen engagement with democratic processes.

Among the major topics scheduled for discussion are "AI in Parliament: Balancing Innovation, Oversight and Adaptation", to be led by Malaysia; "Social Media and its Impact on Parliamentarians", to be presented by Sri Lanka; and "Innovative Strategies to Enhance Public Understanding of Parliament and Citizen Participation Beyond Voting", with contributions from Nigeria and South Africa.

Other sessions will focus on the security, health and well-being of Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff, as well as a special plenary discussion on the role of Speakers and Presiding Officers in maintaining strong democratic institutions.

Earlier on Wednesday, Birla chaired a Standing Committee meeting ahead of the 28th CSPOC.

CSPOC is being hosted by the Parliament of India from January 14 to 16, and it will be the largest in terms of participation.

The 27th edition of CSPOC was hosted by Uganda in January 2024, and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh, and the Leader of IPD at that conference had taken over from Uganda as the host of the 28th edition of CSPOC, to be held in India in 2026.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
It's great to see international cooperation on strengthening democratic institutions. The focus on citizen engagement beyond voting is crucial. Hope the discussions lead to concrete steps that make parliaments more accessible and accountable to ordinary people.
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Vikram M
While the event is prestigious, I hope our own Parliament will implement the best practices discussed here. We need more transparency and less disruption in our legislative proceedings. This conference should be a catalyst for positive internal change.
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Priya S
The agenda is impressive! 'AI in Parliament' and strategies for citizen participation are exactly what we need to discuss. Hopefully, our MPs will learn from countries like South Africa and Nigeria on connecting with the youth. Good initiative by Speaker Om Birla.
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Rohit P
Hosting 61 Speakers from 42 countries is no small feat. It puts New Delhi on the map as a serious hub for governance dialogue. The logistical effort itself is commendable. Jai Hind!
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Michael C
Interesting to see the Commonwealth's continued relevance. The participation from the UK, Canada, and Australia alongside African and Asian nations shows it's still a useful forum for exchanging ideas on democracy, despite historical baggage.
K
Kavya N
The topic on the well-being of MPs and staff is often overlooked. It's a high

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