PM Modi inaugurates 9th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20)

By iednewsdesk On Oct 13, 2023

Following the Parliamentary Forum on Mission LiFE held yesterday, the 9th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20 Summit) got off to a grand start at India International Convention Centre, Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, Delhi today, with the inauguration of the Summit by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. Lok Sabha Speaker, Shri Om Birla graced the occasion. Presiding Officers of Parliaments of G20 nations and of invited nations; President of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Mr. Duarte Pacheco and other leaders also graced the summit. The summit is being hosted by the Parliament of India under the broader framework of India’s G20 Presidency with the theme of ‘Parliaments for One Earth, One Family, One Future’.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that the Summit is a ‘Maha Kumbh’ of all Parliamentary practices from across the globe. Underlining that all the delegates present today hold the experience of the Parliamentary framework from different countries, the PM expressed great satisfaction with today’s event.

“P20 Summit is taking place on the land which is known not only as the mother of democracy but is also the largest democracy in the world”

The Prime Minister emphasized that the P20 Summit is taking place on the land which is not only known as the mother of democracy but is also the largest democracy in the world. The Prime Minister underlined the importance of debates and deliberations as he mentioned accurate examples of such debates from history. He informed that assemblies and committees have found a mention in the five-thousand-year-old Vedas and scriptures of India, where collective decisions were made for the betterment of society.

The Prime Minister touched upon the constant evolution and strengthening of the parliamentary traditions of India with time. He informed that 17 General elections and more than 300 state assembly elections have taken place in India since Independence. People’s participation is consistently increasing in this largest electoral exercise. He said the 2019 General election was the biggest electoral exercise of human history as 600 million voters participated in it.

“India today is promoting women’s participation in every sector”

The Prime Minister informed the delegates about the recent decision of reserving 33 percent seats in the Parliament and the state assemblies for women. He also told them that out of more than 3 million elected representatives in the local self-government institutions, almost 50 percent are women.

The Prime Minister highlighted the unwavering faith of the citizens in the parliamentary traditions of India and credited its diversity and vibrancy. “We have people of every faith here. Hundreds of types of food, ways of living, languages, dialects”, the Prime Minister said.

“A divided world cannot provide solutions to the major challenges facing humanity”

Referring to the interconnected nature of the world, the Prime Minister said that a world full of conflict and confrontation is in no one’s interest. “A divided world cannot provide solutions to the major challenges facing humanity. This is the time of peace and brotherhood, a time to move together. This is a time for growth and well-being of all. We have to overcome the global trust crisis and move forward with human-centric thinking. We have to look at the world in the spirit of One Earth, One Family, One Future.”

“No matter where terrorism occurs, for whatever reason, in whatever form, it is against humanity”

Speaking about the Lok Sabha Speaker giving a tour of the new Parliament to the delegates, the Prime Minister took the opportunity to highlight the cross-border terrorism faced by India for decades, killing thousands of innocent people. Shri Modi recalled the terrorist attack on the Parliament of India about 20 years ago when it was in session and the terrorists were prepared to take the MPs hostage and eliminate them. “India has reached here today after dealing with many such terrorist incidents”, he emphasized as the world is also realizing the huge challenge of terrorism in the world. Shri Modi continued, “No matter where terrorism occurs, for whatever reason, in whatever form, it is against humanity” as he stressed the need to be uncompromising when dealing with such a situation.

“No better medium than public participation to deal with world challenges”

Concluding the address, the Prime Minister underlined that there can be no better medium than public participation to deal with the world’s challenges. Governments are formed by majority, but the country is run by consensus. Our parliaments and this P20 forum can also strengthen this sentiment, the Prime Minister said, and expressed confidence that the efforts to improve this world through debate and deliberations will definitely be successful.

Speaking on the occasion, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla said that the P20 summit reflects India’s commitment to democratic values, international cooperation and joint parliamentary efforts to address issues of global importance and contemporary challenges.

“India has already prepared policy framework for SDGs”

Mentioning about the agenda of the Summit, the Speaker noted that India has already prepared a policy framework for achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, which aims to create a better world through holistic human development. This has been extensively discussed in the Parliament of India, he added.

“Sustainable Energy Transition biggest need in addressing climate change”

The Speaker noted that from the perspective of climate change, sustainable energy transition is the biggest need of today’s time and that India is taking several initiatives in the field of sustainable energy transition, giving priority to green growth and green future.

“Women-led development will drive great change in 21^st century world”

Referring to the recent enactment of ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’, Shri Birla noted that women empowerment is a reflection of the development of any country and that India has now moved from women empowerment to women-led development. “Now women’s participation has been ensured in the policymaking and decision-making process from Panchayat to Parliament. Nari Shakti Vandan Bill was passed in the Parliament of India on the very first day of the special session, through which one-third seats in the Lok Sabha and in the Legislative Assemblies will now be reserved for women.” Shri Birla expressed hope that that women-led development will be the vehicle of great change in the world of the 21^st century.

“Public Digital Infrastructure has changed the life of the last person in society”

Speaking on transforming people’s lives through public digital platforms, the Lok Sabha Speaker noted that these platforms have enabled in bringing a change in the life of the last person in society. “Use of digital technology developed a new model of inclusivity, transparency and good governance. Digital interventions like DBT, UPI have paved the way for all-round development of the country and inclusive governance. The use of technology has also made Parliament more accessible to the public.”

The Speaker of the Lower House of the world’s largest democracy underlined that unanimous adoption of The New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration at the recently concluded G20 Summit under the Indian Presidency reflects the global vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the commitment of the participating countries on global issues. India’s G-20 presidency has been inclusive, aspirational, action-oriented, decisive and people-centric, added Shri Birla.

The Speaker pointed out that the theme of the Summit, ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth, One Family, One Future’ is rooted in the cultural ethos of Bharat, which has been pursuing inclusive development since ancient times, incorporating the interests and priorities of the world at large.

“Parliamentarians must defend peace, which is essential for sustainable development”

President of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Mr. Duarte Pacheco expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality extended by Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla and the Parliament of India. He also congratulated Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for the successful leadership of the G-20 Summit. Referring to India’s status as the world’s largest democracy, Mr. Pacheco said that the success of the P20 Summit was a foregone conclusion owing to the centrality and relevance of the Parliament of India to Indian democracy.

Underlining the foundational value of world peace, Mr. Pacheco said that parliamentarians must defend peace in all parts of the world. He added that without peace the world won’t be able to achieve other goals like sustainable development. Mr. Pacheco observed that as parliamentarians understand consensus-building based on dialogue and discussion, their role in solving global issues must be enlarged. He appreciated the work of IPU and P20 in this direction.

Lok Sabha speaker meets Speaker of National Assembly of Korea

On the sidelines of Parliament 20 Summit, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla met Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Kim Jin-pyo. Shri Birla informed that the year 2023 is important for both India and Korea as it marks the completion of 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He further informed that India and the Republic of Korea have a multidimensional strategic partnership. “Our relations have strengthened in various fields such as politics, trade, investment, defence, culture, science and technology and people-to-people contacts. Buddhism has played an important role in strengthening relations between the two countries through frequent visits of Buddhist monks and exchange of knowledge and ideas.” The Speaker also stressed on deepening parliamentary cooperation between India and the Republic of Korea.

In the second half of the first day of the Ninth P20 Summit, the Presiding Officers unanimously adopted a Joint Statement under the Chairmanship of Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla. Read more here.

More information on P20 Summit:

Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs