The Hanoi Declaration is a major legacy reflecting Vietnam’s outstanding contributions to the international community, remarked President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Saber Chowdhury.

He said Vietnam has been honoured for its call to enforce Hanoi Declaration and a series of resolutions adopted at the five-day 132nd IPU Assembly that wrapped up in Hanoi on April 1, gathering parliamentarians from 133 countries and 12 regional and global inter-parliamentary organisations.

The IPU-132 agenda focused on “Sustainable Development Goals: Turning words into action” with the vision to bring commitments to life in water resources, cyber security and international law – critical issues impacting the world as it enters a new post-2015 growth period.

In their speeches, Vietnamese leaders made it clear that Vietnam continually strives with international community to build a world of peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity.

Parliamentarians reaffirmed the vision of a people-centred sustainable development agenda based on the realisation of universal human rights, eradicating poverty, and eliminating inequalities, thus empowering individuals to exercise their full potential.

Supporting an ambitious set of 17 goals, they committed to doing their utmost to strengthen national ownership of the goals, particularly by raising awareness among their constituents.

As representatives of the people, the legislative bodies took responsibility for ensuring each and every voice is heard in the political process without discrimination and regardless of social status.

Commenting on Vietnam’s contributions to the successful IPU-132, Chowdhury said Vietnam played an important role in the agenda, preparations, session discussions and sideline events.

President of the House of Councillors of Morocco Mohamed Cheik Biadillah praised Vietnam’s message to the IPU gathering, saying the nation has placed human beings at the centre of its growth, a common global trend.

Danish Ambassador John Nielsen, for his part, said the IPU-132 afforded Hanoi an opportunity to showcase its traditional beauty to thousands of parliamentarians from all over the world.

As part of the agenda, a solidarity gala night at the Culture-Tourism Village of Vietnamese ethnic groups in Dong Mo, Son Tay district, Hanoi brought together parliamentarians and representatives from 54 Vietnamese ethnic groups from the mountainous areas in the north, the central – Central Highlands, and the southwest region. The gala enhanced the global perception of Vietnam as a beautiful and hospitable country.-VNA