Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday inaugurated the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum at Samvidhan Sadan in the Parliament House Complex, urging member and partner countries to translate shared commitments into concrete outcomes that improve citizens’ lives.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also interacted with parliamentary delegations from BRICS countries on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, LS Speaker Birla said parliaments could play a pivotal role in advancing people-centric development, strengthening international cooperation and ensuring that the priorities of the Global South were reflected in policymaking.
He described the unanimous adoption of the joint statement at the BRICS leaders’ summit in New Delhi, chaired by PM Modi, as a significant milestone. The challenge now, he said, was to turn those commitments into lasting results through legislation, budgetary processes, deliberation and oversight.
The two-day parliamentary forum, themed “Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centric Development”, will focus on four interconnected pillars—resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.
LS Speaker Birla said regional conflicts, wars, economic instability, trade tensions, terrorism and climate change had created challenges extending beyond national borders, making dialogue, diplomacy and collective responsibility increasingly important.
Parliaments could help build mutual confidence, bridge differences and support peaceful responses to global challenges, he said. Parliamentary diplomacy offered opportunities to exchange perspectives, learn from shared experiences and identify common interests.
Stressing BRICS’ responsibility to amplify the voice of the Global South, LS Speaker Birla said its aspirations must move beyond declarations to find expression in practical cooperation and policies that deliver tangible benefits.
He called for stronger legislative frameworks and institutional capacities to ensure accountability, continuity and effective oversight during periods of uncertainty. Parliaments must also evolve with public expectations by encouraging constructive dialogue, consensus, transparency and citizen participation, he added.
On innovation, LS Speaker Birla said improving parliamentary functioning required more than adopting technology. Fresh ideas, institutional reforms and better practices were equally important to making legislatures effective and responsive.
He encouraged BRICS parliaments to exchange best practices while respecting national sovereignty and differing perspectives, saying their diversity could support mutual learning and joint action.
The Speaker also emphasised that development and environmental protection must advance together. Economic and social policies should preserve ecological balance and safeguard the interests of future generations, he said.
Calling for greater attention to young people, LS Speaker Birla urged parliaments to listen to their concerns and create opportunities for their skills, creativity and technological knowledge to contribute to nation-building.
Referring to PM Modi’s vision of BRICS as an “ecosystem of solutions”, he said the forum’s success should be measured by its outcomes and their impact on people’s lives.
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh also addressed the gathering, while the Lok Sabha Secretary-General delivered the welcome address.
