**Executive Summary**
The Lok Sabha Speaker, Shri Om Birla, addressed the valedictory session of the First Conference of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region, Zone VII, on April 10, 2026. The conference focused on enhancing women's participation in the legislative process, leveraging technology for democratic engagement, and fostering regional development. Participants concluded the event by resolving to implement long-term action plans to achieve the vision of "Viksit Bharat by 2047."
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Women’s Participation and Governance**
* **Proportional Representation:** The Speaker emphasized that women’s representation in lawmaking should grow in proportion to their contributions across sectors like business, education, and science.
* **Sensitivity in Policy:** Increased participation of women, supported by the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, is expected to make governance more people-centric and sensitive to societal needs.
* **Leadership Roles:** Women are recognized as already playing vital leadership roles, offering constructive perspectives on development.
**Technology and Youth Engagement**
* **AI and Communication:** Emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, are highlighted as tools to strengthen public communication and citizen engagement in democracy.
* **Purposeful Use of Technology:** A caution was issued against using technology to waste time; instead, it should be utilized to enhance the skills and capacities of young people.
**Regional Development and Economic Growth**
* **Zone VII Focus:** Discussions centered on the development of coastal regions in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa.
* **Sustainable Models:** Successful initiatives like "Neer Kranti" were cited as models for promoting industrial growth and employment while maintaining environmental balance.
* **Tourism Industry:** Goa, Gujarat, and Maharashtra were noted for their significant strides and potential in the global tourism sector.
**Legislative Collaboration**
* **Best Practice Sharing:** The conference facilitated the sharing of innovations and best practices among 31 participating legislators.
* **Roadmap for 2047:** Through dialogue involving young legislators and Presiding Officers from multiple states, a roadmap was outlined to work toward a developed India by 2047.
**Impact Analysis**
**Women**
**Impact:** There is a heightened focus on integrating women into the legislative process to ensure more empathetic and people-centric policymaking.
**Action Required:** Women are encouraged to continue expanding their leadership roles and contribution to governance in proportion to their professional achievements.
**Youth and Young Legislators**
**Impact:** They are identified as key drivers of the "Viksit Bharat by 2047" vision, with a specific focus on their capacity building.
**Action Required:** Youth must utilize technology as a skill-enhancement tool and collaborate on innovative roadmaps for national development.
**State Governments and Legislators (CPA Zone VII)**
**Impact:** The conference established a precedent for regional cooperation and the sharing of successful developmental models.
**Action Required:** Participants must return to their respective states to implement long-term action plans for regional development and environmental sustainability.
Key Entities Referenced
Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam: Legislation referenced as a key driver for increasing women's participation and sensitivity in governance and policymaking.
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Zone VII Conference: The primary forum where legislators from Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa discussed regional development, public participation, and democratic processes.
Viksit Bharat by 2047: The strategic long-term vision and goal for a developed India, established as a collective roadmap for the conference participants.
Om Birla: The Speaker of the Lok Sabha who led the conference and articulated the policy focus on technology, youth empowerment, and gender-inclusive governance.
Neer Kranti: A specific initiative cited as a successful model for sustainable development and environmental balance in coastal regions.
Lok Sabha Secretariat
GREATER PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN WOULD
BRING GREATER SENSITIVITY TO
GOVERNANCE, MAKING POLICYMAKING MORE
PEOPLE-CENTRIC: LOK SABHA SPEAKER
INCREASED PUBLIC PARTICIPATION LEADS TO MORE
MEANINGFUL AND EFFECTIVE POLICYMAKING: LOK
SABHA SPEAKER
TECHNOLOGY SHOULD NOT BE USED IN WAYS THAT
WASTE THE VALUABLE TIME OF YOUNG PEOPLE, BUT
RATHER SERVE AS A TOOL TO ENHANCE THEIR SKILLS
AND CAPACITIES: LOK SABHA SPEAKER
LOK SABHA SPEAKER ADDRESSES VALEDICTORY
SESSION OF COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY
ASSOCIATION (CPA) INDIA REGION ZONE VII CONFERENCE
Posted On: 10 APR 2026 8:12PM by PIB Delhi
The first Conference of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region, Zone – VII which
was inaugurated yesterday by Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla concluded today with the valedictory
address of Governor, Goa, Shri P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju.
On the occasion, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla emphasized the need to further enhance women’s
participation in the legislative process. He noted that Indian women are excelling across diverse sectors—
including business, education, and science—and their representation in policymaking and lawmaking
should grow in proportion to their contributions. Referring to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, Shri
Birla observed that greater participation of women would bring greater sensitivity to governance, making
policymaking more people-centric and better aligned with societal needs. He added that women are
already playing leadership roles across sectors and are contributing a fresh and constructive perspective to
governance and development.
Highlighting the role of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence in strengthening public
communication, Shri Birla observed that these advancements are enabling greater citizen engagement in
the democratic process. He underlined that increased public participation leads to more meaningful and
effective policymaking. At the same time, he cautioned that technology should not be used in ways that
waste the valuable time of young people, but rather serve as a tool to enhance their skills and capacities.Referring to the discussions held during the Plenary Sessions, Shri Birla noted that the three states of CPA
Zone VII—Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa—have placed strong emphasis on the development of coastal
regions. He highlighted that these states have demonstrated successful models of converting challenges
into opportunities. Initiatives such as Neer Kranti, along with efforts to promote employment and
industrial growth while maintaining environmental balance, were cited as key examples. He further
observed that Goa stands out as one of the world’s most attractive tourist destinations, supported by its
strong tradition of hospitality, while Gujarat and Maharashtra are also making significant strides in the
tourism sector.
Observing that young legislators engaged in detailed discussions during the Conference, Shri Birla said
that, in addition to MLAs from the three states, Presiding Officers from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and
Haryana also participated in the event. He informed that through extensive dialogue and interaction, an
effort was made to outline a clear roadmap for the future. He added that by combining experience, youth,
and innovation, the participants resolved to work collectively towards achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat
by 2047.
Shri Birla underlined that the historic and landmark First Conference of CPA Zone VII has proven to be
highly significant in many respects. He noted that the Conference benefited greatly from extensive formal
and informal discussions among legislators, as well as from the knowledge and rich parliamentary
experience of the distinguished Hon’ble Governor of Goa, Shri P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju, who delivered
the Valedictory Address. Shri Birla informed that a total of 31 legislators shared their views and
experiences, offering valuable learning opportunities for all participants.
Shri Birla further noted with pride that both formal and informal exchanges during the Conference
facilitated the sharing of innovations and best practices. He observed a strong emphasis on promoting
healthy competition in trade, tourism, and innovation, with participants also focusing on adopting a
positive approach to transform challenges into opportunities. He concluded his address with the hope that
the First Conference of CPA Zone VII will serve as a significant precedent for democratic institutions
across the country, and that participants will return to their respective States with a renewed resolve to
implement long-term action plans for regional development and the vision of a developed India.
Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker, Dr. Ganesh Gaonkar delivered the Welcome Address on the occasion.
Goa Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker, Joshua D’Souza delivered the Vote of Thanks.
गोवा म Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Zone VII के
प्रथम सेलन के समापन समारोह को संबोधत कया।
दो दन तक इस कॉ स म सद न े महत्वपूण वषय -
‘2047 तक वकसत भारत के लक्ष्य क प्रा म युवा वधायी सद क भूमका’ तथा ‘ापार,… pi
c.twitter.com/YiYTzdWMHV
— Om Birla (@ombirlakota) April 10, 2026
Address at the Valedictory Ceremony of the 1st Conference of CPA India Region,
Zone-VII.#CPAIndiaZoneVIIConference https://t.co/qbZNCNb3d0
— Om Birla (@ombirlakota) April 10, 2026***
AM
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