Members of Parliament from the federal and state level in India met for the 10th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Regional Conference, held in New Delhi, India from 23 to 24 September 2024. The Regional Conference was hosted in Parliament House by the CPA India Union Branch and brought together Commonwealth Parliamentarians from across India. This is the second time that New Delhi has hosted the CPA India Regional Conference. Participants shared their experiences of parliamentary democracy and attended panels on the theme of ‘The role of legislative bodies in the attainment of sustainable and inclusive development’. 

The Chairperson of the CPA India Region, Hon. Om Birla, MP, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha of India officially opened the CPA Regional Conference and spoke to delegates on the main theme: 

“Legislative institutions play a crucial role in promoting sustainable development. I urge Legislators to reflect on their contributions to public welfare over the past seven decades since Indian Independence and call for collective efforts to achieve inclusive progress.” 

Forty-six Presiding Officers, including 4 Chairpersons, 25 Speakers, 3 Deputy Chairpersons and 14 Deputy Speakers from all Indian State and Territorial Legislatures were in attendance. Before the Regional Conference, an Executive Committee meeting of the CPA India Region also took place. 

During the Regional Conference, delegates examined how Parliamentarians can be more effective and efficient at encouraging sustainable and inclusive development, the impact of Artificial Intelligence in Parliaments and the role of Members of Parliament in strengthening India through its democratic institutions.  

Members were also briefed on the workshops and events taking place at the forthcoming 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference due to take place in Sydney, New South Wales Australia in November 2024. 

The CPA India Region comprises of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha (the Federal Parliament of India) and the 31 State Legislatures 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. The current CPA Treasurer (2022-2025) is Hon. Shri Anurag Sharma, MP, from the Parliament of India. 

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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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