Odisha Speaker Joins Global Leaders at 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference

Odisha Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy is traveling to Barbados for a major international gathering. She will attend the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) in Bridgetown. The event runs from October 5 to 12, 2025.

This annual meeting is the largest of its kind for Commonwealth Parliamentarians. It brings together lawmakers to debate pressing global political issues.

Indian Delegation Focuses on Gender and Governance

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is leading the large Indian delegation. It includes MPs, Speakers, and officials from 22 states. According to official statements, Padhy will also participate in the 9th Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Conference.

She is scheduled to address a key workshop during the CPC. Her talk will focus on strategies for creating gender-sensitive parliaments. This highlights India’s ongoing role in promoting inclusive governance.

Post-Conference Diplomacy and Diaspora Engagement in Europe

Following the conference, Speaker Padhy will embark on a study tour. Her first stop is London from October 12 to 14. There, she plans to meet with the Odia diaspora to discuss the conference outcomes.

A poignant part of her London itinerary includes a visit to the British Museum. She intends to see the bamboo stick used by freedom fighters to kill British officer Major Bazalgette. This connects her official trip with Odisha’s historical legacy.

Her tour continues in Zurich and Paris for further diplomatic engagements. She will interact with Indian High Commission officials and local communities. The Speaker is scheduled to return to Odisha on October 19.

The 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference serves as a critical platform for global dialogue. It underscores India’s active participation in international parliamentary affairs. This engagement strengthens diplomatic ties and promotes shared democratic values.

Thought you’d like to know

What is the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference?

The CPC is the annual conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. It is the largest yearly gathering of Commonwealth Parliamentarians to discuss global political and parliamentary issues.

Who is leading the Indian delegation to the CPC?

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is leading the delegation. The group includes Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, MPs, and officials from numerous states.

What is Speaker Padhy’s specific role at the conference?

She will address a workshop on creating gender-sensitive parliaments. She is also attending the separate Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Conference.

What are the dates for the 68th CPC in Barbados?

The main conference is scheduled from October 5 to 12, 2025. The Women Parliamentarians conference runs from October 7 to 8.

Where is Speaker Padhy traveling after the conference?

She will go on a study tour to London, Zurich, and Paris. The trip involves diaspora engagement and meetings with officials before her return on October 19.