Lok Sabha Speaker: ‘MPs can play an important role in advancing the agenda of progress and sustainable development’

Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla, who is leading the Indian delegation at the 10th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, today addressed the first plenary session. The theme of the session was – ‘BRICS Parliamentary Dimension: Prospects for Strengthening Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation’.Wishing ‘Dobroye utro’ (Good morning) to the distinguished participants, Shri Birla informed that about 65 crore voters cast their votes in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections after which Shri Narendra Modi took oath as Prime Minister for the third time. He said that it is his good fortune that the elected house of the country, Lok Sabha, elected him as the Speaker for the second consecutive time.

Welcoming four new members to the BRICS Parliamentary Forum, namely Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE, Birla praised the Russian President for the seamless inclusion of new members in the organisation. Birla said BRICS, representing the interests of developing countries, is committed to making global governance more democratic and reforming international organisations like the United Nations Security Council, World Trade Organisation at the global level.

Emphasizing the important role of parliaments and parliamentarians in advancing the BRICS agenda of inclusive and sustainable development, Birla said India is actively participating in this direction. He also spoke about India’s commitment to bringing together emerging markets and developing countries as well as India’s commitment to the principles of mutual respect, understanding, equality, solidarity, transparency, inclusiveness and consensus.

Emphasizing the importance of promoting cooperation among BRICS member countries and other multilateral forums, Birla said India follows the principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, that is, the whole world is one family, which is in line with the commitment of equality, solidarity and mutually beneficial cooperation expressed by BRICS. Referring to the successful hosting of the 18th G-20 Summit and the Ninth Summit of Speakers of Parliaments of G-20 countries (P-20) in New Delhi last year, Birla said these historic events exemplify India’s commitment to joint efforts through international cooperation for world welfare and inclusive development.

Elaborating on this, Birla said that India believes that the ideas and proposals shared by the presiding officers at the P-20 Summit held in New Delhi on Agenda 2030, sustainable energy transition, gender equality and public digital platform for achieving Sustainable Development Goals will promote global cooperation for inclusive and sustainable development.

Speaking about the role of inter-parliamentary forums, Birla emphasised that parliamentarians can play a key role in advancing the agenda of progress and sustainable development. In this context, describing the BRICS Parliamentary Forum as an important platform, Shri Birla said that such a forum provides an opportunity for parliamentarians to exchange new ideas, new laws and best practices. Expressing his views on the active participation of parliaments, Shri Birla mentioned the importance of mutual cooperation among parliaments in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and in tackling global challenges such as climate change, socio-economic development and poverty alleviation.

Emphasizing the need to strengthen the BRICS Parliamentary Platform, Mr. Birla said that India supports cooperation among BRICS parliaments to enhance mutual cooperation and solidarity, reform global governance and multilateral organisations, promote economic reform and accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Birla, while mentioning the future challenges, expressed hope that strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation will make the partnership among the BRICS countries more inclusive and democratic. He reiterated India’s commitment to democratic values, sustainable development and advancing the BRICS agenda. In the end, he expressed gratitude for the hospitality extended by his Russian counterpart and the Parliament of the Russian Federation.

During the day, Mr Birla also met IPU President Her Excellency Ms Tulia Aksen. Birla’s visit to Russia to attend the 10th BRICS Parliamentary Forum meeting is his first foreign visit after his historic election for a second consecutive term as Lok Sabha Speaker.