India's Lok Sabha Speaker Inaugurates 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum

India's Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi, calling for parliaments to work together for people-centric development, global peace, sustainable development, and international cooperation, India's Press Information Bureau (PIB) reported.

The forum, themed 'Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development,' brings together parliamentary delegations from BRICS member and partner countries to discuss resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability.

Birla emphasized the importance of parliamentary cooperation in addressing common challenges and bringing positive change to citizens' lives, and noted that BRICS countries have different national circumstances and perspectives, but share aspirations for peace, security, and better lives for their citizens.

The Lok Sabha Speaker also highlighted the need for parliaments to be effective, transparent, accountable, and responsive to citizens, and to prioritize environmental sustainability and the voice of the Global South.

Birla expressed confidence that the forum will deepen parliamentary partnerships, foster meaningful dialogue, and advance a shared vision of a more just, inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable world.

The BRICS grouping, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, represents nearly half of the world's population and offers a platform for fostering democratic values and deepening parliamentary cooperation.

Background The BRICS Parliamentary Forum is an annual event that brings together parliamentarians from BRICS countries to discuss issues of common concern and promote cooperation.

The forum provides a platform for parliamentarians to share experiences, best practices, and innovative solutions to common challenges, and to promote people-centric development and sustainable growth.