Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s participation in the upcoming 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament (WCSP) reaffirms its trust in dialogue, solidarity, and peace, according to Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam Thomas Gass.
The 6th WCSP, hosted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) under the theme “A world in turmoil: Parliamentary cooperation and multilateralism for peace, justice and prosperity for all”, is scheduled to take place from July 29 to 31, at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man will attend the conference and conduct a series of bilateral engagements during his visit to Switzerland.
Ambassador Gass told the press that the IPU and the upcoming 6th WCSP play a crucial role in reminding the international community that sustainable development must be people-centred and grounded in mutual dependence and solidarity among nations.
The diplomat noted that the participation of NA Chairman Man once again affirms Vietnam’s strong belief in the importance of the legislature within the political system, and in the supervisory role of people's representatives who reflect the diversity of religion, gender, ethnicity, age, and viewpoints.
He added that Chairman Man’s visit comes at a time when Vietnam–Switzerland relations have seen notable progress across multiple sectors during the first half of 2025.
He highlighted joint efforts to advance bilateral ties and commitments to accelerating negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and Switzerland, and another between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
In May 2025, the two countries celebrated the 35 years of development cooperation and jointly launched a new 50 million USD development programme for the 2025–2028 period. Bilateral cooperation has also expanded in the area of digital finance, with the introduction of a FinTech regulatory sandbox in partnership with the State Bank of Vietnam. In terms of climate action, the ambassador pointed to the successful completion of a flood risk management project in the Mekong Delta funded by Switzerland and the World Bank.
In parallel, the Swiss–Vietnamese Economic Forum and the Vietnamese Embassy in Switzerland have jointly hosted numerous events to welcome provincial and municipal leaders from Vietnam, aimed at fostering cooperation in smart agriculture, tourism, clean energy, financial technology, and innovation. On the cultural front, Swiss artists and films had a strong presence at this year’s International Francophonie Day celebrations in Vietnam (March 20), reflecting the growing mutual interest in cultural exchange.
Touching on parliamentary cooperation, Ambassador Gass said bilateral ties in this area have also been actively strengthened in recent years. In June 2023, President of the National Council of Switzerland Martin Candinas, accompanied by two Vice Presidents, visited Hanoi to resume high-level parliamentary dialogue and enhance cooperation in legal and trade frameworks. In March 2024, a Vietnamese National Assembly delegation held meetings with Swiss lawmakers in Geneva and also engaged with the overseas Vietnamese community in Switzerland.
Most recently, in January 2025, two Swiss parliamentarians took part in the Francophone Parliamentary Forum in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, which focused on sustainable agriculture and climate change.
Ambassador Gass expressed his belief that the parliaments of the two countries would continue to exchange high-level visits, including an official visit to Switzerland by Chairman Man.
Looking ahead, he said the two countries are preparing for the 17th round of trade negotiations, scheduled for early September 2025.
He noted that all parties and all levels had reached a consensus that finalising the FTAs with Vietnam remains a top priority. A Vietnam–Switzerland Economic Forum is also scheduled to take place in November in the central coastal city of Da Nang.
The ambassador added that 2026 will be a particularly meaningful year, marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Switzerland. A number of cultural activities, including a music festival, are expected to be held as part of the celebration./.
