The high-level conference brought together Speakers and Presiding Officers from over 60 legislatures across the Commonwealth.

The Constituent Assembly Hall holds exceptional historical and global significance. It is the chamber where India’s independence was proclaimed and where the Constitution of India was debated and adopted, laying the foundation of the world’s largest parliamentary democracy. The venue stands as a powerful symbol of constitutionalism, democratic governance, and the rule of law, principles shared and upheld by Commonwealth parliaments, including the National Parliament of Solomon Islands.

The conference was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India, who delivered a keynote address reaffirming India’s identity as the “Mother of Democracy.” In his address, the Prime Minister highlighted India’s democratic resilience and inclusive governance, noting major achievements in economic growth, poverty reduction, digital innovation, vaccine production, and the advancement of women’s leadership in democratic processes. He further reaffirmed India’s strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and to advancing the collective interests of the Global South, including through the sharing of open-source digital platforms and parliamentary innovations.

 

On the margins of the conference, the Speaker of the National Parliament of Solomon Islands held a courtesy meeting with the Speaker of the Lok Sabha (Parliament of India). This rare and significant engagement further strengthened parliamentary relations between Solomon Islands and India and provided an opportunity for the exchange of views on parliamentary best practices, institutional strengthening, and democratic governance.

The presence of Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers—many attending in their traditional parliamentary attire—underscored the unity, diversity, and shared democratic heritage of Commonwealth nations. The conference serves as a vital platform for dialogue, cooperation, and knowledge-sharing among legislatures as they respond collectively to contemporary governance and global challenges.

 

The participation of the Speaker of the National Parliament of Solomon Islands at this historic conference reaffirms the nation’s unwavering commitment to parliamentary democracy, constitutional governance, and international parliamentary cooperation, while further enhancing the visibility and standing of Solomon Islands within the global parliamentary community.