Members of Parliament from the federal and state level in India met for the 9th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Regional Conference in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India from 21 to 22 August 2023.

Hosted by the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly and the CPA Rajasthan State Branch on behalf of the CPA India Region, the Regional Conference brought together Commonwealth Parliamentarians to share their experiences of parliamentary democracy.

The theme of the Regional Conference was ‘Strengthening democracy and good governance in the digital age’.

The Chairperson of the CPA India Region, Hon. Om Birla MP, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha of India officially opened the Regional Conference and spoke to delegates of India as the largest functioning democracy in the world. The Speaker of Lok Sabha also addressed the main theme of the Regional Conference and said that Legislatures must embrace new technology to ensure that public engagement remains high and there is active participation in democracy.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the CPA Chairperson, Hon. Ian Liddell-Grainger MP said:

“The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association is led by its Members, and it enhances parliamentary democracy through its activities.”

The opening ceremony of the Regional Conference was also attended by the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Hon. Ashok Gehlot; the Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, Hon. C. P. Joshi, MLA; and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh.

The CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg attended the Regional Conference and met with Speakers and Members from CPA Branches in the CPA India Region.

The CPA Treasurer, Hon. Shri Anurag Sharma, MP (Lok Sabha, Parliament of India) also attended the Regional Conference.

During the Regional Conference, delegates examined how Parliamentarians can be more effective and efficient at encouraging good governance through digital empowerment and the role of Members of Parliament in strengthening India through its democratic institutions.

At the closing ceremony, the Vice-President of India and Rajya Sabha Chairman, H.E. Jagdeep Dhankhar and the Governor of Rajasthan, Kalraj Mishra gave valedictory addresses.

The CPA India Region comprises of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha (the Federal Parliament of India), and the 31 State Legislative Assemblies of India. The CPA India Region is one of the nine CPA Regions and is represented on the CPA International Executive Committee by three Regional Representatives.

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The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association connects, develops, promotes and supports Parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and the implementation of the enduring values of the Commonwealth. The CPA is an international community of around 180 Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance.

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