Kohima, November 10, 2025: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday inaugurated the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Zone III Conference in Nagaland, delivering a detailed address that underscored the vital role of legislative bodies in shaping inclusive governance and acting as instruments of social, economic, and cultural transformation in the North Eastern region of India. The two-day conference, hosted at the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) complex, brought together Speakers, Deputy Speakers, Presiding Officers, and legislators from across the eight states of the North East, providing a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaborative efforts to strengthen democratic institutions in the region.
During his inaugural address, Speaker Birla emphasized that legislative bodies are not merely procedural institutions but are central to the formulation of policies that can promote regional development, encourage industrial growth, and empower local communities. He highlighted the need for legislatures to focus on policies that recognize and promote the unique cultural, artistic, and traditional heritage of the North Eastern states. “Our Legislative Assemblies should work towards policies that promote regional development and industrial growth,” Birla stated. He elaborated that policy decisions must empower local communities and give national and international recognition to indigenous art, culture, and traditional crafts, which are intrinsic to the identity of the North Eastern states.
Speaker Birla commended the North Eastern region for its strong democratic ethos and the way in which decision-making processes reflect collective responsibility. He noted that legislatures in the region have increasingly embraced technology, with most assemblies transitioning to paperless operations, thereby improving efficiency, transparency, and accessibility. Highlighting the broader progress of the region, Birla praised improvements in connectivity, growing infrastructure, and the deepening of democratic processes, describing these developments as foundational pillars for the North East to fully harness its potential.
“Through collective dialogue and public participation, our legislatures can frame policies that lead to inclusive and sustainable development,” Birla observed, expressing confidence that the discussions and deliberations during the two-day conference would produce a concrete roadmap to make legislative institutions more effective and accountable. He stressed the importance of using legislative assemblies as platforms for policy innovation that not only address immediate governance concerns but also anticipate the long-term developmental needs of the region.
In addition to his remarks on governance, Birla extended his greetings to the people of Nagaland in light of the upcoming Hornbill Festival, which he described as a symbol of the state’s cultural richness, unity, and vibrant heritage. He lauded the efforts of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly in successfully hosting the CPA conference for the third time, recalling that the state previously hosted the event in 1997 and 2007. As part of the inauguration, Birla unveiled a monolith at the NLA complex commemorating the conference and Nagaland’s significant role in fostering regional parliamentary collaboration.
The 22nd CPA Zone III Conference is being held under the overarching theme “Policy, Progress & People: Legislatures as Catalysts of Change”, reflecting the dual focus on advancing democratic governance while ensuring that policy initiatives are responsive to the needs of citizens. The conference agenda includes plenary sessions focusing on two sub-themes: “Role of Legislatures in Achieving Viksit Bharat” and “Climate Change – In the Light of Recent Cloudbursts and Landslides in Parts of the Northeast Region.” These sessions are designed to provide legislators with the opportunity to exchange insights, best practices, and innovative approaches for addressing the diverse challenges faced by the region, ranging from economic development to disaster resilience.
As part of the conference, a tree plantation drive has been organized to promote environmental awareness and sustainability. The initiative reflects a growing recognition among legislators that environmental stewardship is critical for the North Eastern states, which are rich in natural resources yet highly vulnerable to climate-related disasters. Speaker Birla highlighted that initiatives such as tree plantations, combined with policy measures, can contribute to sustainable development and enhance the quality of life for local communities.
Over the years, CPA India Region Zone III has played a crucial role in strengthening regional cooperation, promoting parliamentary best practices, and addressing key issues that are of strategic importance to the North East, including infrastructure development, regional connectivity, and economic integration. The association has been instrumental in promoting the Act East Policy by advocating for accelerated infrastructure projects and enhancing trade and cooperation with neighboring countries in Southeast Asia. In particular, CPA Zone III has facilitated the integration of the North Eastern states into the India-ASEAN Vision for Trade and Cooperation, creating new opportunities for investment, cultural exchange, and cross-border collaboration.
Speaker Birla also highlighted the zone’s achievements in fostering digital innovation in legislative processes. Initiatives such as the National eVidhan Application have significantly enhanced transparency, accessibility, and citizen engagement, enabling legislative assemblies to operate more efficiently and respond effectively to the needs of the public. These technological advancements, he noted, allow for improved record-keeping, easier access to legislative documents, and the ability for citizens to monitor the functioning of assemblies in real time.
The conference serves not only as a platform for legislators to discuss policy but also as a forum to strengthen the capacity of legislative institutions in the region. By encouraging dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge sharing, the CPA Zone III Conference aims to ensure that legislative assemblies in the North East are equipped to act as catalysts of change, promoting economic development, social inclusion, and good governance.
In his remarks, Speaker Birla emphasized that the North Eastern states, with their unique challenges and opportunities, require targeted policy interventions and strong institutional support. He stressed the importance of empowering local legislatures to address issues such as connectivity, disaster management, climate resilience, and economic diversification. By leveraging the region’s cultural and natural assets, he suggested that legislatures could play a pivotal role in transforming the North East into a model for inclusive and sustainable development in India.
The two-day conference also provides an opportunity for legislators to exchange views on emerging challenges and innovative policy solutions, including strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change, promote sustainable tourism, enhance regional trade, and foster entrepreneurship among local communities. Speaker Birla underscored that effective legislatures must combine policy expertise with citizen engagement to ensure that governance is both responsive and accountable.
The CPA Zone III Conference has a long history of contributing to regional parliamentary cooperation and institutional development. By hosting the event, Nagaland has demonstrated its commitment to promoting dialogue, sharing best practices, and supporting capacity building among legislative assemblies. The conference also reflects the North Eastern states’ active engagement in national and regional policy discourses, highlighting the importance of the region in India’s broader socio-economic and geopolitical landscape.
The event is scheduled to conclude on Tuesday evening, with policymakers and legislators expected to finalize a set of recommendations and action plans that will guide legislative practices in the region in the coming years. The outcomes of the conference are anticipated to strengthen democratic institutions, enhance policy-making processes, and ensure that legislative assemblies in the North East continue to act as effective instruments of change.
Through sustained dialogue, institutional innovation, and the adoption of modern technology, the CPA Zone III Conference seeks to empower legislators to craft policies that are inclusive, forward-looking, and responsive to the aspirations of local communities. Speaker Birla’s address underscored the critical importance of legislatures in driving economic development, cultural preservation, and good governance, setting the tone for a conference that aims to transform the way legislative institutions function in the North Eastern states.
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