28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC)

India hosted the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) in New Delhi from 14 to 16 January 2026, marking a major milestone in parliamentary diplomacy.

Historic Participation
The Conference witnessed historic participation, bringing together 61 Speakers and Presiding Officers from across the Commonwealth. This was the largest participation in the history of CSPOC.

Organised Under Lok Sabha Speaker’s Chairmanship
The Conference was organised under the chairmanship of Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla, who played a key role in steering discussions and deliberations.

Focus on AI and Social Media in Parliaments
The 28th CSPOC focused on the application of Artificial Intelligence and social media in parliamentary functioning, with emphasis on:

• Enhancing efficiency
• Improving transparency
• Promoting inclusivity
• Strengthening public engagement

India’s Role and Hosting History
India has been an active participant in the CSPOC process and has hosted the Conference on four occasions:

• 1970–71
• 1986
• 2010
• 2026

About the CSPOC
The Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) is a high-level parliamentary forum of the Commonwealth of Nations. It brings together:

• Speakers and Presiding Officers from 53 national parliaments of sovereign Commonwealth states
• Representatives from 14 semi-autonomous parliaments

Origins of the Conference
CSPOC was established in 1969 on the initiative of Lucien Lamoureux, then Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada, to promote dialogue and cooperation among parliamentary leaders.

Independent Parliamentary Body
CSPOC functions as an independent parliamentary body and has no formal affiliation with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) or the Commonwealth Secretariat, although its membership overlaps with Commonwealth parliamentary institutions.

Membership Criteria
Membership of CSPOC is restricted to Speakers and Presiding Officers of national parliaments of independent sovereign Commonwealth states, underscoring its exclusive and high-level character.