At the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC), Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the Global South’s significance in shaping new directions. He stressed India’s advocacy for Global South issues on the world stage, especially during its G20 Presidency. India’s focus on sharing innovations for mutual growth and inclusivity was underscored by PM Modi, who mentioned the country’s efforts in developing open-source technology platforms for partner nations. This commitment reflects India’s dedication to fostering shared prosperity and democratic values globally.
PM Modi inaugurated the CSPOC event, which gathered 61 Speakers and Presiding Officers from 42 Commonwealth countries and four semi-autonomous parliaments. Discussions at the three-day conference revolved around contemporary topics like AI in parliamentary operations, social media’s impact on legislators, citizen engagement, and the security of MPs and staff. The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s initiatives to enhance parliamentary cooperation, aiming to create a more user-friendly system for engaging with Parliament resources.
Addressing the pivotal role of presiding officers and speakers, PM Modi emphasized their crucial function in connecting people with the democratic process. He reiterated India’s commitment to the Global South’s interests, citing the country’s efforts during its G20 presidency to address climate and growth issues. PM Modi also emphasized India’s cultural values of global kinship and humanitarianism, recalling the nation’s assistance to over 150 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Highlighting India’s democratic scale and economic achievements, PM Modi showcased the country’s status as the world’s largest democracy and its leading positions in various sectors. He noted India’s hosting of the CSPOC for the fourth time, focusing on the theme of “Effective Delivery of Parliamentary Democracy.” PM Modi praised India’s progress in diverse fields, emphasizing democracy’s role in ensuring last-mile delivery of welfare measures that have significantly reduced poverty.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla commended PM Modi’s leadership, acknowledging India’s economic growth under his guidance. Speaker Birla emphasized the conference’s theme of promoting ethical AI use, combatting misinformation, and enhancing transparency through technology. The event, a platform for over 2.6 billion people, aims to foster resilient and inclusive parliamentary systems in a rapidly evolving world.
