Odisha Speaker Surama Padhy to Lead Delegation at CPC in Barbados

Odisha Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy will represent India at the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) in Bridgetown, Barbados, scheduled from October 5 to 12, 2025. Accompanying her will be a delegation of Indian politicians and officials, led by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

The CPC is an annual event organized by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), bringing together parliamentarians from across the 56 member countries to deliberate on key global parliamentary and political matters. This year’s conference is expected to address a range of issues affecting governance and democratic practices within Commonwealth nations.

Focus on Gender Sensitivity and Engagement with Global Issues

Padhy, who is set to depart Odisha later today, will also attend the 9th Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Conference (CWP) during her time in Barbados. This conference will take place from October 7 to 8, 2025, on the margins of the CPC. As part of her engagement, she will participate in a workshop focused on promoting gender-sensitive parliaments across the Commonwealth.

After the CPC, Padhy will embark on a study tour to London from October 12 to 14. Here, she aims to connect with the Odia diaspora, sharing insights from the conference and discussing relevant issues impacting the community. Furthermore, she plans to visit the British Museum to view historical artifacts, including a bamboo stick used by freedom fighters Raghunath Mohabty and Dibakar Parida in their resistance against British colonial rule.

International Engagements in Zurich and Paris

Following her London visit, Padhy will travel to Zurich, Switzerland, from October 14 to 16. During this time, she will meet with officials from the Indian High Commission and engage with the local Odia community to further discuss the themes explored at the CPC.

Her itinerary also includes a visit to Paris from October 16 to 18, where she will continue her discussions on parliamentary practices and international cooperation. Padhy is expected to return to Odisha on October 19, following a series of engagements aimed at fostering collaborative relationships and sharing knowledge gained from her experiences at the Commonwealth events.

These efforts signify a commitment to enhancing democratic practices and gender sensitivity in governance, both within India and across the Commonwealth, highlighting the importance of international dialogue in shaping effective parliamentary strategies.