On March 9, the National Assembly (NA) Committee gave opinions on preparations for the 132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-132) set for Hanoi between March 28 and April 1.

The rehearsal for the opening ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 15 at the National Assembly House.

According to NA Committee for Foreign Affairs Chairman and Deputy Head of the Standing Organization Committee for IPU-132 Tran Van Hang, as many as  126 delegations have registered to take part in the event.

Regarding the agenda, Hang said all reports on topics and recommendations from relevant ministries and sectors to be discussed at the IPU-132 have been completed so far.

Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) Vo Van Tuan said a security plan on a national scale has been finalized to ensure absolute security and safety for the upcoming IPU-132.

Meanwhile, major media agencies- Radio Voice of Vietnam (VOV), Vietnam Television (VTV) and Vietnam News Agency (VNA) have launched new features highlighting the importance of the parliamentary event and updating information about preparatory work.  

NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung appreciated the combined efforts made by competent agencies in fulfilling the remaining work to make the IPU-132 a great success.

At the end of the 132nd Assembly meeting, the IPU is expected to adopt the "Hanoi Declaration"- a historic document bearing the hall mark of the IPU-132 in Vietnam.

The declaration will be used as an official document for submission to heads of legislative bodies in August and to the UN General Assembly in September 2015.

As the largest-ever diplomatic event held in Vietnam, the IPU-132 will be a good opportunity for Vietnam to strengthen its bilateral diplomatic ties with partners throughout the world while promoting the country’s culture, tradition and socio-economic achievements to international friends.

It will also help bolster the friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding between Vietnam’s National Assembly (NA) and legislatures of other countries and international organisations serving as dialogue partners of the IPU, such as the UN.

At the 117th IPU Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland in 2007, Vietnam’s NA was elected to the Executive Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

During the IPU-121 in 2009, Vietnam was elected to serve as Vice President of the IPU.

Established in 1889 in Paris, France, the IPU is the oldest multi-national political organisation in the world and currently has 162 members.