Indian Parliamentary Delegation to Attend Commonwealth Conference in South Africa From September 13

New Delhi, September 1: An Indian parliamentary delegation will participate in the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) scheduled to be held in Cape Town, South Africa, from September 13 to 19, 2026, with discussions expected to focus on parliamentary democracy, international law and emerging global challenges.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla chaired a briefing meeting on Tuesday to review preparations for India’s participation in the conference. Addressing members of the delegation, Birla called for active involvement in the discussions and workshops and urged participants to present India’s views clearly and effectively at the international forum.

The Speaker also stressed the importance of maintaining discipline and punctuality throughout the conference, saying the Indian delegation should uphold high standards of parliamentary conduct during meetings and negotiations.

The central theme of this year’s conference is “Strengthening International Law and Parliamentary Democracy in a Changing World Order: Commonwealth Leadership.”

Indian representatives are expected to contribute to discussions on several issues that have gained importance in the changing global environment.

The six workshops identified for the Indian delegation will examine:

• Inter-parliamentary cooperation for fair and inclusive trade
• Making parliamentary institutions more accessible to persons with disabilities
• The role of parliaments in climate adaptation and resilience
• Use and future applications of artificial intelligence in parliamentary functioning
• Protection of human rights and promotion of peace
• Post-legislative scrutiny and assessment of laws after enactment

These sessions will provide an opportunity for Indian parliamentarians to share the country’s experiences and perspectives on governance, technology, climate action and democratic institutions.

The conference programme will also include a dedicated Youth Roundtable on rebuilding trust and participation in democracy. The session will examine ways to reconnect young people with democratic institutions and encourage greater participation in public life.

Gender representation and institutional sensitivity will form another major part of the programme. The 10th Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Conference will feature four workshops centred on the theme “Making Gender Sensitivity an Institutional Mandate: Ethics, Accountability, and Structural Change.”

The discussions are expected to examine how parliamentary institutions can strengthen accountability and incorporate gender-sensitive practices into their functioning.

India to Present Its Perspective on Global Challenges

During the briefing, Birla highlighted the importance of India’s participation in international parliamentary forums. He said active engagement allows Indian lawmakers to present the country’s priorities while contributing to broader discussions on democratic values and parliamentary practices.

He encouraged members to make meaningful contributions during sessions and workshops and ensure that India’s perspectives are communicated effectively.

Senior officials led by Lok Sabha Secretary-General Utpal Kumar Singh subsequently briefed members on the conference’s organisational arrangements, agenda and key areas of discussion.

Presiding officers and deputy presiding officers from several state legislatures also attended the meeting as part of the preparations for India’s participation.

The upcoming Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference is expected to provide a platform for lawmakers from member countries to exchange views on strengthening democratic institutions and addressing challenges emerging from technological, economic, environmental and geopolitical changes.