The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Zone VII Conference concluded in Goa today. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla called for greater representation of women in legislative bodies and emphasized the importance of youth participation in strengthening democracy. He stated that the role of women in policymaking should expand from local councils to Parliament, and that public participation is essential for deepening democratic processes.
The two-day conference saw active engagement from legislators who shared perspectives and discussed issues such as trade, sustainable development, maritime management, and the blue economy. Mr. Birla said empowering young legislators will be crucial to achieving the vision of "Developed India" by 2047, and highlighted the development model of coastal states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Goa.
Goa Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju stressed the importance of meaningful debates in legislative bodies and called for longer, more productive sessions to address public concerns. He urged opposition members to raise concerns constructively and emphasized innovation, inclusiveness, and technology-driven governance. A total of 51 legislators participated in the conference.