(VOVworld) – Many countries have expressed their confidence in Vietnam successfully hosting the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union General Assembly next March. Hosting the event shows Vietnam’s support and high priority for cooperation with the IPU and conveys a message that Vietnam is an active, responsible member of the IPU striving for peace, prosperity, and development in the world.
The Vietnamese delegates at the 130th IPU General Assembly |
Within the framework of the 130th IPU General Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, on March 18, Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung and IPU President Abdelwahad Radi witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on Vietnam’s hosting the 132nd IPU General Assembly in March next year. Vietnam introduced the logo of the 132nd IPU and displayed a Vietnamese cultural exhibit at the Geneva international conference.
Active participation in IPU cooperative mechanism
Vietnam joined the IPU in 1979 and has always been an active, responsible member of the forum. Vietnam has assumed many important management positions in the IPU including Vice President in 2009. Vietnam strongly supports IPU’s agenda to boost democracy, peace, and development in the world and the role and rights of women and children.
Devoted participation and a thorough plan for hosting the next General Assembly are reasons for countries to trust Vietnam’s capability to organize the IPU for the first time. Ahmed Obaid Al Mansoori, a member of the Federal National Council of the United Arab Emirates, said: “Vietnam has strong capability, good experience, and infrastructure to organize the IPU 132. Vietnamese are committed and it’s a great value of Vietnamese culture. We totally support Vietnam, the country that we have a lot of effective cooperation.”
Vietnamese cultural exhibit at the Geneva international conference |
Parliament and realization of post-2015 sustainable development
The Vietnam-initiated theme for the 132nd IPU General Assembly, “Parliament and realization of post-2015 sustainable development”, has received positive feedback from the IPU and parliamentarians. IPU President Abdelwahad Radi said the tentative agenda matches IPU’s strategy for 2012-2017. "We are sure that the 132nd IPU General Assembly will succeed because we know Vietnam has spent a lot of time and effort to make thorough preparations. Vietnam has a theme of post-2015 development is appropriate because the international community is also focused on this strategy. Making decisions for post-2015 development is the work not only of the governments but also of the parliamentary agencies. IPU 132 will be a helpful forum for discussing this topic."
IPU Secretary General, Anders Johnsson said: “The theme of IPU 132 closely attaches to what the world have to do in 2015. A new development roadmap for the world after the millennium development goals is sustainable development. The theme is important and in time for parliamentarians to contribute their ideas. The General Assembly in Hanoi will assis IPU members to discuss and reach an agreement so the IPU will play a positive role in the world’s future.”
IPU 132 will be an important forum for parliamentarians to discuss post-2015 development plans and improve the voice of Asian countries in the IPU. Vietnam’s successful hosting of the event will elevate its role in diplomatic activities, foster relations with parliaments, and expand international exchanges.