New Delhi, October 22 (H.S.): The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum will be held on October 26 and 27 in the Central Hall of Constitution House, within the Parliament complex. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced the details at a press conference held at the Parliament complex on Thursday.

Birla said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would attend the two-day high-level conference as a special guest and meet the heads of visiting delegations. The central theme of this year’s forum is “Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centric Development.”

The deliberations will focus on four key areas, with discussions aimed at building consensus. These include the crucial role of parliaments in strengthening institutions to secure a better future; promoting human-centric innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies through parliamentary initiatives; advancing a more representative system of global governance through parliamentary cooperation; and examining the role of parliaments in ensuring a sustainable and inclusive future for member countries.

Birla further announced that a special meeting would be held with the chairpersons of international affairs committees from the parliaments of BRICS member and partner countries. The meeting will focus on parliamentary diplomacy, capacity-building and the exchange of best practices.

A meeting of the delegation secretaries will take place on October 25 to finalise the joint statement. In addition to plenary sessions and bilateral discussions, cultural programmes and a banquet will be organised in honour of the visiting dignitaries. The delegates will also visit the Indian Parliament and explore cultural landmarks in Delhi.

The forum will bring together presiding officers and parliamentary leaders from BRICS member and partner countries, Union ministers, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, and presiding officers of legislative bodies from various Indian states.

During the conference, the Lok Sabha Speaker will preside over the proceedings, hold bilateral meetings with the heads of foreign parliamentary delegations and deliver the concluding address.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar