The Vietnamese National Assembly in collaboration with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) opened an Asia-Pacific seminar on strengthening the parliament’s role in HIV/AIDS prevention in Hanoi on December 10.

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the IPU and its members in Asia-Pacific, the IPU Consultative Group on HIV/AIDS, will host the two-day seminar drawing participation from field experts and representatives of international organisations.

The seminar offers an opportunity for regional parliamentarians to share information and experiences in legislation and supervision activities relating to HIV/AIDS prevention. The forum also aims to strengthen the strategic coalition between regional parliaments, the United Nations and international organisations.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong mentioned over the past 30 years, 60 million people were infected with HIV/AIDS and 25 million recorded fatalities from the disease in the world.

Phong stressed how Vietnam considers HIV/AIDS a threat to the lives and future of the generations as well as the country’s sustainable development, social security and order. She also commented that Vietnam has taken lots of measures to prevent the pandemic and has supported efforts made by governments, socio-political organisations, and communities in the fight against the disease.

Participants will discuss such issues as trends and forecasts of HIV/AIDS in Asia-Pacific, laws and policies for the most vulnerable groups, difficulties and challenges that lawmakers are facing and legal issues relating to minimising the harmful effects of the disease./.