THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
SEPTEMBER 17, 2026
Odisha Legislative
Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy has called for integrating climate considerations
into the development process, stressing that development and stability must
progress together as climate change increasingly affects agriculture, water,
energy, healthcare, infrastructure and disaster management.
Padhy made the remarks
while participating in the 69th Session of the Commonwealth Parliamentary
Association (CPA) in Cape Town, South Africa, where more than 200 delegates
from 56 countries are attending discussions on issues concerning parliamentary
institutions and governance.
The four-day
conference, being held from September 14 to 17 at the International Convention
Centre in Cape Town, has brought together Speakers from 17 states, Ministers,
MPs, MLAs, parliamentary officials and representatives from 56 countries. The
Indian delegation is being led by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan
Singh.
Addressing the
session, Padhy said development and stability must progress together and that
climate concerns cannot be separated from the development process. She said
climate change has direct links with agriculture, water, energy, healthcare,
urban development, infrastructure, forests, coastal areas and disaster
management.
She stressed the
importance of state and local institutions in formulating solutions suited to
local environmental and resource conditions. Measures such as clean energy
adoption, greater energy efficiency, improved waste management and stronger
economic systems can simultaneously contribute to climate stability, public
health and quality of life, she said.
Highlighting Odisha’s
experience in dealing with natural disasters, Padhy said the state has
strengthened its disaster preparedness through early warning systems, cyclone
shelters, evacuation mechanisms, institutional coordination and community
participation.
She said climate
change should not be viewed merely as an environmental or scientific issue,
noting that the state government has introduced legislative measures and
budgetary provisions to address the challenge. Monitoring, accountability and
community participation, she added, are essential for effective climate action.
Padhy also underlined
the role of legislatures in ensuring that development decisions enhance public
safety and protect the lives, livelihoods and communities of present and future
generations.
During the conference, she participated in a programme of Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians and joined a discussion on the participation of persons with disabilities in parliamentary systems.
Odisha Assembly Deputy Speaker Bhabani Shankar Bhoi, Assembly Secretary Satyabrata Rout and others are also attending the conference.
