New Delhi, 27 October (H.S.): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Tuesday that although countries may have different perspectives and circumstances, their commitment to human welfare, peace and prosperity remains shared, describing this common purpose as the greatest strength of BRICS.

The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum concluded in New Delhi on Tuesday. Addressing the closing session, Birla said the two-day forum had witnessed meaningful discussions on several important issues. He announced that the participating countries had reached a consensus on a joint declaration, reaffirming their commitment to the United Nations Charter, the sovereign equality of nations and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

The declaration also strongly condemned all acts of terrorism and called for concrete action against terrorists and organisations designated by the United Nations. Birla also extended his best wishes to China, which is scheduled to assume the BRICS chairmanship in 2027.

The Lok Sabha Speaker said the world was facing serious challenges, including conflicts, instability and economic uncertainty. In such circumstances, the importance of dialogue, trust and cooperation had increased considerably. He said India believed that lasting solutions to global problems could be achieved through dialogue rather than conflict, and through peace rather than war.

He emphasised the need to work towards a world in which the sovereignty of every nation was respected and opportunities for development were made equally accessible to all.

Om Birla said Parliament was the most important institution for expressing the hopes and aspirations of the people in a democracy. It was not merely a forum for enacting laws, but also an institution that upheld dialogue, accountability and public trust. He stressed that parliamentary institutions must continually evolve to become more effective, transparent and people-centric.

Speaking about technology, Birla observed that artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies were transforming the way people worked. The responsible use of technology, he said, could improve the efficiency of parliamentary proceedings and enhance lawmakers’ effectiveness. However, he underlined that the use of AI must be guided by the principles of ethics, transparency and human welfare.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar