New Delhi, Jan 15 (NationPress) In an era marked by extraordinary global changes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the crucial role of the Global South in forging innovative paths. During the inauguration of the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) at Samvidhan Sadan on Thursday, he highlighted India’s commitment to representing the interests of the Global South on all international platforms.

He reflected on India's leadership during the G20 Presidency, noting that the nation prioritized the Global South in the global discourse.

PM Modi pointed out that India's ongoing initiatives aim to ensure that technological advancements benefit not just its own people but also its partners within the Commonwealth, stressing the creation of open-source technology platforms to aid other nations in developing similar systems.

This vision epitomizes India’s dedication to collective growth, inclusivity, and the fortification of democratic institutions globally.

The Prime Minister inaugurated the event at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, Parliament House Complex, marking the largest gathering in the forum's history with a record 61 Speakers and Presiding Officers from 42 Commonwealth countries and four semi-autonomous parliaments.

Over three days from January 14-16, the conference will delve into pressing contemporary issues such as artificial intelligence (AI) in parliamentary operations, the influence of social media on lawmakers, engaging citizens beyond elections, and ensuring the safety and welfare of Members of Parliament (MPs) and their staff.

In his speech, PM Modi spoke about India’s initiatives to enhance parliamentary collaboration, stating, "We have initiated a regional project to establish a user-friendly system using parliamentary resources, which is providing our Parliament with enhanced opportunities to connect with its members."

He shared insights from his experiences addressing various member nations, expressing confidence that the conference will enrich shared practices among attendees.

Highlighting the vital functions of presiding officers, he remarked, "Both Presiding Officers and Speakers play a crucial role in linking citizens to the democratic processes of our nation. They are performing this duty exceptionally well."

Addressing global challenges, he noted the milestones achieved during India’s G20 presidency, stating, "We fulfilled our commitments regarding climate and growth. Our focus has been on ensuring that India’s experiences benefit the Commonwealth and the Global South, which are witnessing significant transformations. It is time to build for the Global South. India is actively advocating for the interests of the Global South globally, ensuring that innovations developed benefit all of its nations. We are also establishing an open-source platform for our partner countries in the Global South to develop similar systems."

PM Modi invoked India's cultural philosophy, stating, "The entire world is our family; this principle has been instilled in us by our democracy." He recounted India's humanitarian contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting, "During this significant crisis, India provided essential medicines and vaccines to over 150 countries."

Celebrating the scale of Indian democracy, he remarked, "As the world's largest democracy, India exemplifies the magnitude and significance of democratic values. The general elections of 2024 showcased the largest democratic exercise in history, with almost 980 million registered voters, surpassing the population of some continents. More than 8,000 candidates and over 700 political parties participated, with a remarkable turnout of women voters. Today, Indian women are not only participating but leading the charge, with a woman as the President of India and women occupying 50% of local governance leadership roles. Indian democracy thrives on diversity, with numerous languages, over 900 television channels, and a long-standing tradition of debate and dialogue. India is rightly regarded as the mother of democracy and democratic ideals."

He emphasized that India stands as the fourth-largest economy and leads various sectors, citing achievements like being the fastest-growing major economy, the largest digital payment system (UPI), the second-largest steel producer, the third-largest startup ecosystem and aviation market, and the fourth-largest rail network.

PM Modi noted that this is the fourth occasion India is hosting the CSPOC, with the theme "Effective Delivery of Parliamentary Democracy." He reflected on the initial skepticism regarding India's ability to sustain democracy in such a diverse nation and asserted that diversity has ultimately become its strength. He underscored India’s accomplishments as the fastest-growing major economy, its leadership in digital payments through UPI, and its global standing in vaccine production, steel, startups, aviation, railways, and agriculture.

He emphasized that democracy in India signifies last-mile delivery, highlighting welfare initiatives that have lifted 25 crore individuals out of poverty.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, in his remarks, commended PM Modi's leadership, stating, "Under your visionary guidance, India is emerging as the world's fastest-growing economy, attributed to newly implemented policies. Your leadership is providing decisive solutions to the challenges we face, and the world looks to you for direction."

Speaker Birla also addressed the conference's theme of "effective delivery of parliamentary democracy," emphasizing the ethical use of AI, combating misinformation, and enhancing transparency through technology. "I hope this conference will foster in-depth discussions on critical issues and lead to concrete policy decisions for the ideal application of AI and social media within democratic institutions," he added.

Following India's earlier hosting in 1970-71, 1986, and 2010, this event reaffirms the Commonwealth's commitment to impartiality and innovation. Established in 1969, CSPOC serves as a platform for over 2.6 billion people, with India representing half of that population. As discussions progress, the conference aims to devise solutions for resilient and inclusive parliaments in a rapidly evolving world.

The event was attended by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Inter-Parliamentary Union President Dr. Tulia Ackson, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Chairperson Dr. Christopher Kalila, and other distinguished guests.