• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will lead a delegation of presiding officers from India to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) in Barbados from October 5-12.

• The Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) is the annual Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). 

• It is the largest annual gathering of Commonwealth Parliamentarians, who come together to discuss global parliamentary and political issues. 

• Each year, the Conference is hosted by a different Commonwealth Parliament.

• This year, it will be hosted by the Parliament of Barbados and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Barbados Branch in Bridgetown.

• The Indian delegation will comprise Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh and presiding officers and secretaries of state and Union Territory legislatures from across the country.

• Birla will address the General Assembly of the CPC on the theme of ‘The Commonwealth: A Global Partner’.

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

• The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is an international community of Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance and parliamentary practice.

• The CPA is one of the oldest established organisations in the Commonwealth. 

• Founded in 1911, it is a membership association which brings together Parliamentarians and parliamentary officials, irrespective of gender, race, religion or culture, who are united by community of interest, respect for the rule of law and individual rights and freedoms, and by the pursuit of the positive ideals of parliamentary democracy.

• The Association is made up of almost 180 Legislatures divided up between nine geographic regions of the Commonwealth. 

• It offers a vast opportunity for Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff to collaborate on issues of mutual interest and to share good practice.

• The CPA Headquarters Secretariat is situated in London.

• The CPA is governed by a Constitution established in 1993 and the CPA General Assembly is the ultimate authority.

• At the CPA General Assembly, delegates discuss governance matters, constitutional amendments, CPA membership, financial statements and motions raised by CPA Branches.

• Representatives from all active CPA Branches at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference attend the CPA General Assembly.

CPA India Region

• The CPA India Region comprises a total of 31 Legislatures. 

• After the Africa Region, India has the largest number of member Branches of the CPA. 

• The Executive Committee of the CPA India Region consists of the CPA India Regional chairperson and six Members. 

• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is its current regional chairperson.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)