The 132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-132), the largest diplomatic event with the participation of nearly 2,000 foreign delegates from 150 countries and international organisations, will take place in Hanoi from March 28 to April 1.

Themed “Sustainable Development Goals: Turning Words into Actions”, the assembly will feature a plenary session, other sessions of standing committees, a meeting of women parliamentarians and a forum of young parliamentarians.

Another line-up includes a meeting of the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments, meetings of geo-political groups, specialised conferences, and bilateral meetings between guests.

Preparatory meetings of the Executive Board and related mechanisms are slated for March 22.

A Hanoi statement detailing the outcomes of discussions in the agenda is also expected to be issued at the end of the event, said Vu Hai Ha, deputy head of the National Assembly Committee for External Relations.

On the fringe of the IPU, participants will be taken on a tour of Vietnamese cultural-historical sites, attend a workshop on leveraging the power of nutrition to Asian development, a solidarity gala night, and a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the IPU women parliamentarians’ meeting mechanism.

All foreign attendees are advised to apply for non-fee visa for single entry on the website of the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry’s Consular Department, Ha said, adding that the visa will be valid from March 15 to April 15.

As part of preparations, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee established a steering committee for the IPU-132 led by top legislator Nguyen Sinh Hung and an organising board headed by NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong.

VNA