Hanoi (VNA) - The 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians, held in Hanoi on September 15, emphasized the importance of promoting inclusiveness, intercultural dialogue, and respect for diversity as drivers of sustainable and peaceful development within national parliaments.
An overview of the conference (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+) Facing global challenges together
President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Duarte Pacheco, expressed his hope that the conference, which saw the participation of numerous young delegates, would elevate parliamentary activities to a new level by incorporating the digital agenda.
He envisioned greater efficiency and increased transparency in the political processes, enabling all citizens to be informed and participate in shaping opinions.
Mr. Pacheco highlighted the adaptability and guidance demonstrated by young parliamentarians in various countries during the COVID-19 pandemic as much of the work had to be moved online.
He emphasized the need for a change in the new context and cited examples of innovation, such as online voting conducted by IPU coalition members for the first time in IPU history, showcasing the effectiveness of modern technology application in parliamentary affairs.
The IPU President stressed that member parliaments should promote inclusivity, intercultural dialogue, and respect for diversity as the driving forces behind sustainable and peaceful development.
He believed that the conference would provide an opportunity for the IPU and national parliaments to explore new solutions beyond existing challenges.
Dan Carden, President of the Board of the IPU Forum of Young Parliamentarians and a member of the UK Parliament, expressed gratitude to Vietnam for its warm and generous hospitality in welcoming the conference delegates to Hanoi.
Dan Carden, President of the Board of the IPU Forum of Young Parliamentarians, and member of parliament of the UK, speaks at the conference (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+) Vietnam: Close and friendly
International delegates attending the conference shared their positive impression on host Vietnam, describing it as a close and friendly country.
Asuquo Ekpenyong, a Nigerian Senator, acknowledged Vietnam’s rich cultural identity and its rapidly developing economy, with the emergence of technology-driven startups valued at billions of dollars.
Meanwhile, Majd Abu Zidan from Syria expressed excitement upon visiting Vietnam and remarked on the similarities in the affection, openness, and hospitality of both Vietnamese and Syrian people.
International delegates at the conference. (Photo: Vietnam+) The conference served as a valuable platform for young parliamentarians to exchange experiences on digital transformation, adaptability in the post-pandemic era and market fluctuations, and propose strategies to mobilize resources for development, investment, production, business, environment, and infrastructure.
The ninth Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians carried the theme “The Role of Young People in Promoting the Realisation of Sustainable Development Goals via Digital Transformation and Innovations.”
The conference is the largest multilateral diplomatic event hosted by Vietnam this year, attracting the participation of more than 300 young parliamentarians and delegates from over 70 member parliaments of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). It also sees the participation of 124 members of the Young National Assembly Deputies’ Group of Vietnam, 20 outstanding young people of Vietnam, and 20 young deputies of provincial-level People’s Councils, along with representatives of the friendship associations between Vietnam and other countries, embassies, consulates, and foreign representative diplomatic agencies in Vietnam./.
