New Delhi, Jan 15, 2026: Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma attended the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) 2026, being hosted by the Parliament of India in New Delhi from January 14 to 16.
The conference was also attended by Malthus S. Sangma, Secretary, Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, reflecting the state legislature’s active participationAttach in global parliamentary dialogue aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and modern legislative practices.
The high-level conference was inaugurated at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan by Narendra Modi. On his arrival, the Prime Minister was received by Om Birla, S. Jaishankar, and Harivansh Narayan Singh.
The 28th CSPOC is being chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and has brought together 61 Speakers and Presiding Officers from 42 Commonwealth countries, along with representatives from four semi-autonomous parliaments, underscoring the scale and significance of the gathering.
The conference is deliberating on a range of contemporary parliamentary challenges, including the evolving role of Speakers and Presiding Officers, adoption of digital technology in legislative functioning, and strengthening citizen engagement in democratic processes. Key topics slated for discussion include “AI in Parliament: Balancing Innovation, Oversight and Adaptation”, “Social Media and its Impact on Parliamentarians”, and strategies to enhance public understanding of Parliament and citizen participation beyond electoral processes.
Prior to the formal inauguration, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla chaired a Standing Committee meeting in preparation for the conference. The previous 27th CSPOC was hosted by Uganda in January 2024, after which India assumed hosting responsibilities for the 2026 edition.
Meghalaya’s participation in the CSPOC highlights the state legislature’s engagement with global best practices in parliamentary governance and its commitment to strengthening democratic processes.
