PM Modi to inaugurate 28th Commonwealth Speakers' Conference today

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) on Thursday morning in New Delhi. 

The event begins at 10:30 am at the historic Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, inside the Parliament House Complex. 

The gathering is one of the biggest international parliamentary meetings hosted by India this year. PM Modi will deliver the inaugural address and set the tone for multi-day discussions.

Who Is Here and Why Does It Matter?

The conference brings together 61 Speakers and Presiding Officers from 42 Commonwealth countries and four semi-autonomous parliaments. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is chairing the sessions.

Participants will exchange views on shared challenges facing modern democracies. They represent a wide cross-section of legislative leadership across the Commonwealth.

Experts say CSPOC provides a platform for parliamentarians to learn from each other's experience in running democratic institutions. It's also seen as a chance for India to deepen ties with fellow democracies.

What Will They Talk About?

Delegates are expected to focus on issues shaping parliaments today. These include:

• The role of Speakers and Presiding Officers in strengthening democratic institutions.
• How artificial intelligence can support parliamentary work.
• The impact of social media on lawmakers and legislative processes.
• Ways to improve public understanding of Parliament and boost citizen engagement beyond just voting.

Officials say the discussions aim to help legislatures adapt to rapid technological and social changes while preserving democratic values.

What Happens Next?

The CSPOC runs through January 16, with working sessions and roundtable talks planned over the next two days. Delegates will leave New Delhi with fresh insights into parliamentary best practices and cooperation opportunities. 

For India, hosting this conference underlines its growing role in global democratic conversations and parliamentary diplomacy.