India Hosts 28th CSPOC in New Delhi, Showcasing Parliamentary Leadership

India to Host 28th CSPOC, Reinforcing Its Parliamentary Leadership in the Commonwealth

India is set to host the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) in New Delhi, marking a major milestone in its parliamentary diplomacy. The three-day conference, beginning on Wednesday and concluding on January 16 , will see participation from Speakers and Presiding Officers representing more than 60 Commonwealth countries and semi-autonomous legislatures , highlighting India’s central role in advancing democratic dialogue within the Commonwealth.

Purpose and Importance of CSPOC

The Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth is a leading international parliamentary platform dedicated to promoting democratic values and institutional strength across member legislatures. It provides a space for dialogue, exchange of best practices, and shared learning on legislative procedures and governance challenges.

Hosting the 28th edition reflects India’s stature as a mature and vibrant parliamentary democracy and its commitment to strengthening democratic institutions globally.

Leadership and Opening Events

The conference will be chaired by Om Birla , Speaker of the Lok Sabha, who currently serves as Chairperson of CSPOC. The opening day will feature a meeting of the CSPOC Standing Committee under his leadership.

The formal inauguration will take place on January 15 at the historic Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan , with Narendra Modi inaugurating the conference. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to interact informally with the visiting parliamentary leaders.

Themes and Key Discussions

The conference agenda includes a series of thematic sessions addressing evolving challenges and innovations in parliamentary functioning. Major focus areas include:

• Application of Artificial Intelligence in legislative processes

• Sharing of innovative parliamentary practices

• Impact of social media on parliamentarians and public discourse

• Enhancing citizens’ understanding of parliamentary work

• Security, health, and wellbeing of Members of Parliament

These deliberations aim to modernise parliamentary institutions while preserving democratic accountability and transparency.

Transition of CSPOC Chair

At the conclusion of the conference, the CSPOC Chairmanship will be formally transferred from the Lok Sabha Speaker to Lindsay Hoyle , Speaker of the UK House of Commons. This ceremonial handover underscores continuity and cooperation within the Commonwealth parliamentary framework.

Key Exam-Focused Points

• CSPOC stands for Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth .

• The 28th CSPOC is being hosted by India in New Delhi .

• Participants include parliamentary leaders from over 60 Commonwealth countries .

• Key themes include AI in Parliament , social media, and democratic innovation.