BRICS Parliamentary Forum: Speaker Om Birla Calls for People-Centric Legislatures
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla welcomes BRICS delegations to New Delhi to discuss people-centric development and stronger democratic institutions.
In a significant move to strengthen global legislative cooperation, the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum has commenced in New Delhi. Addressing the gathering at the historic Samvidhan Sadan of the Parliament of India, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla emphasized the need for parliamentary institutions to become more effective, transparent, accountable, and fundamentally people-oriented.
The forum brings together delegations from 11 member countries and 10 partner nations, underscoring a collective commitment to democratic values and mutual respect. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met with the visiting Speakers and Heads of Delegations, highlighting the high-level importance of this multilateral engagement.
A Vision for People-Centric Development
Under the central theme of “Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development,” the forum aims to bridge the gap between legislative processes and the aspirations of the common citizen. Speaker Om Birla noted that as BRICS celebrates 20 years since its inception, the grouping now represents nearly half of the global population, making its role in global cooperation indispensable.
The Speaker highlighted that the true strength of the BRICS nations lies in their ability to transform their vast diversity into a common purpose for collective progress. He stressed that the forum is a vital tool for strengthening mutual trust and parliamentary cooperation across borders.
Key Pillars of the Plenary Sessions
The two-day event is structured around four high-level thematic sessions designed to tackle modern global challenges. These core pillars include:
- Resilience: Building strong institutions capable of weathering global crises.
- Innovation: Exploring the expanding role of legislative oversight in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging digital technologies.
- Cooperation: Enhancing institutional capacity building and the exchange of best legislative practices.
- Sustainability: Balancing rapid economic development with environmental preservation to meet sustainable development goals.
Prioritizing the Global South and Youth
Speaker Birla urged the participating delegations to keep the voice of the Global South at the forefront of their deliberations. He specifically mentioned the necessity of connecting the aspirations of the youth with tangible opportunities, ensuring that the next generation is integrated into the developmental trajectory of these nations.
Diplomacy Beyond the Plenary
The forum is not limited to formal sessions. On the sidelines, a special meeting of the Chairpersons of Parliamentary Committees on International Affairs from member and partner countries will take place. This meeting will focus on:
- Advancing parliamentary diplomacy.
- Capacity building for legislative staff and members.
- Sharing successful legislative models and practices.
Additionally, the event will facilitate structured bilateral and multilateral dialogues, including meetings with Parliamentary Friendship Groups established with 64 different countries, further expanding the network of international legislative cooperation.
"Our collective engagement here underscores our shared commitment to parliamentary cooperation within the BRICS framework, rooted in dialogue, mutual respect, and a common belief in democratic values," Speaker Om Birla stated.