Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) on January 15 at Samvidhan Sadan, the former Central Hall of Parliament.
Hosted by the Indian Parliament after a 16-year gap, the event will convene senior parliamentary leaders from across the Commonwealth. India previously hosted the conference in 1971, 1986, and 2010.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who is chairing the proceedings, confirmed that 76 Speakers and Presiding Officers from 53 Commonwealth nations will participate, representing both bicameral and unicameral legislatures. The conference will open with a meeting of the CSPOC Standing Committee on January 14 to review ongoing organisational matters. Modi is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at 10:30 am on January 15, followed by an informal interaction with the delegates.
The primary focus of discussions will center on the increasing influence of artificial intelligence and social media in parliamentary functions. Delegates will explore how these technologies can enhance efficiency, transparency, and citizen engagement while addressing associated ethical issues and potential threats to democratic processes. The sessions on January 15 will specifically examine the application of AI in parliamentary operations and the broader impact of social media on lawmakers and institutions.
On January 16, the agenda will shift to strategies for improving public understanding of parliamentary work and fostering greater citizen participation beyond elections. Additional topics include the security, health, and well-being of parliamentarians and staff, as well as a special plenary session on the role of presiding officers in bolstering democratic institutions, to be chaired by Birla with his keynote address. Global challenges such as climate change, terrorism, and cybercrime will also feature in exchanges of experiences among members.
The conference will conclude on January 16 with the ceremonial handover of CSPOC chairmanship to Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the UK House of Commons. Delegates will be received in accordance with India’s traditional hospitality principle of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’. The gathering underscores India’s active role in promoting parliamentary cooperation and addressing contemporary technological and democratic challenges on an international platform.