Vietnam has put forth a number of ideas and proposals at the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU-132) which have received the high level of consensus from other member countries.

Vietnam promoted its role as host of the IPU-132 and responsible IPU member to make active contributions to such a significant diplomatic event held in Hanoi from March 31 to April 1.

According to Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisation Vu Xuan Hong, eight of Vietnam’s nine proposals are to be included in the draft resolution on cyber warfare – a serious threat to peace and global security.

The Vietnamese representatives suggested the IPU issue a joint statement calling for stronger commitment from all nations to avoid the use of cyber warfare, and called on the United Nations to promptly build an international convention ensuring cyber security and safety.

Vietnam also actively contributed to the adoption of the draft resolution on international law relating to national sovereignty and non-intervention in the internal affairs of States and human rights during the meeting of the IPU Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights.

Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly Law Committee Le Minh Thong, who represented Vietnam at the function, said the resolution was debated during the previous IPU Assembly but was not passed due to a lack of consensus among participants.

Present at the discussion of the IPU Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, Finance and Trade, Head of the Vietnam National Assembly Committee for Economic Affairs Nguyen Van Giau suggested member countries review the Law on water resources and relevant legal documents; examine national strategies, programmes and projects on water resource management; and allocate funds.

Additionally, it is important to popularise the resolution to all-level State agencies, social organisations and people to boost regional and international relations in water management, he recommended.

A number of recommendations from Vietnamese delegates were introduced at a series of other functions, such as the Meeting of Women Parliamentarians, the forum of young parliamentarians, the conference of the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments, and the conference on achieving the Beijing vision.

Vietnam pledged to maximise its efforts to increase the female involvement in political spheres, combat gender inequality and violence against women and children and integrate gender-based issues into the legal system.

Themed “Sustainable Development Goals: Turning Words into Action”, the IPU-132 Assembly is the biggest multi-lateral diplomatic event ever hosted in Vietnam , offering an opportunity for the country to introduce Vietnamese people, culture and new developments to international friends.

Vietnam’s contributions to 132-IPU receive praise

Vietnam’s contributions to the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly have been helpful to its members, IPU President Saber Chowdhury told a press conference in Hanoi on April 1.

Announcing the outcomes of the IPU that is to conclude the same day, Chowdhury said the Hanoi Declaration adopted at IPU-132 is of great significance and bears the imprint of the Vietnamese NA.

He said the declaration, proposed by the Vietnamese NA, will be submitted to the United Nations to contribute to defining sustainable development goals, stressing that it reflects Vietnam’s outstanding contributions to the international community.

According to the IPU President, the IPU-132 took a different approach to settling issues, focusing on developing solutions in the hope of improving citizen well-being.

He said the host played an important role in the agenda from preparations, discussions in sessions to sidelines events.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung who is President of IPU-132, said the IPU-132’s theme “Sustainable Development Goals: Turning words into action” won approval from delegates.

Participants offered constructive feedback on draft resolutions for ratification, raising a highly-influential voice in the world community.

The NA Chairman said the success of the 132-IPU carries a major significance since it is a global parliamentary diplomatic event.

The assembly also offered lessons to the Vietnamese NA on building laws, monitoring and deciding on key country issues in which citizens always play the central role, he added, and vowed that the Vietnamese legislature would take prompt actions to carry out the IPU resolutions and align policies and laws with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

The IPU-132 brought together over 160 participating international delegations, including those from IPU member parliaments, associate members, and foreign organisations.

VNA