New Delhi

BJP MP Anurag Thakur on Thursday said that India hosting the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) marks a significant moment for the country, coming nearly one-and-a-half decades after it last hosted the prestigious parliamentary event.

Speaking to ANI here, Thakur said India has consistently demonstrated its capability to organise large-scale global events. "This is a very big moment for India when, after almost 1.5 decades, India is getting the opportunity to host such a big event. Before this, India successfully hosted the G20. Preparations are also underway for hosting BRICS. All the speakers and presiding officers who are there today are coming. We welcome all of you," he said.

Echoing similar sentiments, Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar described the conference as a major opportunity for India and its democratic institutions. Speaking to the media outside Parliament, Tomar said the event reflects India's growing stature in global parliamentary engagement.

"A Speakers' Conference is being held in India today, in Delhi. This is a great opportunity for the country. The Lok Sabha Secretariat has made all the arrangements, and the topic is well-defined," he said, expressing confidence that the deliberations would be meaningful and impactful.

The 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan.

The high-level conference is chaired by LS Speaker Om Birla and features 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.

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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.