New Delhi | Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday said parliaments can help build trust and ease tensions between countries as he inaugurated the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum here.

In his inaugural address at the historic Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, Birla told delegates that regional conflicts, wars, economic instability, trade tensions, terrorism and climate change do not stop at one's border and such global challenges make dialogue, diplomacy and cooperation all the more important.

"Parliaments can play a special role" in strengthening mutual understanding and trust, reducing international tension and resolving global challenges peacefully, he said while addressing the gathering in Hindi.

New Delhi is hosting the two-day event.

India took on the forum's chairmanship at the 11th forum in Brasilia in June 2025, where Birla was named chairperson of the 12th Forum.