Last Updated on January 12, 2026 11:46 pm by INDIAN AWAAZ
Andalib Akhter
India is set to host the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) in New Delhi from January 14 Wednesday, with a strong emphasis on the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in parliamentary functioning. The three-day conference, running until 16 January, will bring together Speakers and Presiding Officers from more than 42 Commonwealth nations and semi-autonomous legislatures.
Briefing the media, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said the conference will open with a meeting of the Executive Council on the first day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the event on 15 January.
A key highlight of the conference will be dedicated sessions on the use of AI in Parliaments, focusing on how emerging technologies can enhance legislative efficiency, transparency, research, and citizen engagement. Participants will also exchange best practices and innovative ideas, alongside discussions on the impact of social media on parliamentarians, improving public understanding of parliamentary processes, and addressing the security, health and wellbeing of Members of Parliament.
The conference marks a significant milestone in India’s democratic and parliamentary journey, reflecting its growing leadership role in shaping future-ready legislatures across the Commonwealth.
28th CSPOC at a glance in numbers (as on 6 January 2026)
· Total number of Speakers and Presiding Officers from CSPOC countries and Autonomous Parliaments who have confirmed their participation:59
· Including Lok Sabha Speaker and Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha: 61
· Of the 61Speakers and Presiding Officerswho have confirmed their participation, 44 are Speakers and 15 are Deputy Speakers.
· Of the 44 Speakers, 41Speakers are from CSPOC Countriesand 4from Speakers from Autonomous Parliaments.
· Total number of CSPOC Countries represented including India: 41 – Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Belize, Botswana, Cameroon, Canada, Dominica, Fiji, Guyana, Ghana, Grenada, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, Tanzania, The Bahamas, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, United Kingdom, Zambia.
· Number of Semi-autonomous Parliaments represented:4 – Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Montserrat
· Special Invitees – confirmed participation
o Hon. Dr. Tulia Ackson, President of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
o Hon. Dr. Christopher Kalila, Chairperson, Commonwealth-Parliamentary Association (CPA)
· CSPOC Countries not represented
1. Barbados
2. Bermuda
3. Cyprus
4. New Zealand
5. Uganda
6. Saint Vincent and Grenadines
7. Vanuatu
8. Eswatini
· Confirmation awaited from CSPOC Countries
1. Samoa
· Semi-Autonomous Parliaments not represented
1. British Virgin Islands
2. Falkland Islands
3. Gibraltar
4. Niue
5. St. Helena
· Confirmation awaited from Semi-Autonomous Parliaments
1. Alderney
2. Anguilla
3. Cayman Islands
4. Cook Islands
5. Turks and Caicos
· Total number of delegates – 229
· Number of Secretaries-General – 40
· MPs – 11
· Diplomats – 8