IPU-132: An imprint in Vietnam’s diplomatic history

Vietnam is entirely ready for the opening ceremony of the 132nd IPU Assembly.

Today the opening ceremony of the Assembly of the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-132) will take place at the Dien Hong Hall of the National Assembly House on the premises of the historic Ba Dinh Square.

This is the most significant multi-lateral parliamentary diplomatic event in 2015 for all parliaments in the world.

Taking place from March 28 to April 1, this important event draws more than 160 international delegations with over 700 members of parliament from 127 member countries of the IPU, associate members as well as international guests and organisations. According to the agenda, the IPU-132 and related meetings will include more than 30 meeting sessions, with 20 plenary sessions and about ten events on the sidelines.

Over the past 125 years, the IPU, an initiative of peace-loving parliamentarians who wanted to build an inter-parliamentary cooperative mechanism, has grown into the largest union of parliaments in the world. This is an important forum for global parliamentarians to exchange and propose measures to promote peace, security, cooperation and development. The IPU now has an increasing role in and influence on global political and economic life.

It has been nearly 60 years since Vietnam’s National Assembly began to consider joining the IPU in 1957, including more than 20 years seeking international integration. In the past 35 years, since Vietnam became an IPU member, its NA delegation have always attended meetings of the IPU Assembly in a proactive and responsible manner, making active and effective contributions to this global inter-parliamentary forum.

Through the IPU , Vietnam’s National Assembly has established and strengthened bilateral relations with parliaments of other countries. Attending IPU activities is always a top priority of the National Assembly’s diplomatic policy. Vietnam’s National Assembly once assumed the chairmanship of the IPU’s Asia-Pacific geopolitical group and ASEAN+3 group in 2006 and 2010 respectively. At the IPU Assembly in October 2007 in Geneva, Switzerland, the representative of the Vietnamese National Assembly was elected for the first time to the IPU Executive Committee. As a member of the IPU Executive Committee, Vietnam had an opportunity to make direct and substantive contributions to IPU activities as well as shared tasks of the international community.

The 132nd Assembly takes place at a critical time for both the IPU and Vietnam. The IPU is actively re-organising its structure and operations to meet the increasingly higher demands of the people around the world in a more effective manner. These days in the capital Hanoi, there have been numerous meetings where participants have discussed a wide range of issue both global and national, from internet security, water management and international law to national sovereignty, human rights, gender equality, healthcare for mothers and children and HIV/AIDS, among others.

2015 is regarded as a key year where the international community, of which Vietnam is a part, will summarise and evaluate the result of the implementation of Millennium Development Goals and discuss formulating Sustainable Development Goals for the post-2015 period. The main theme of IPU-132 accurately reflects the common concerns of parliamentarians and responsibility of law-makers in shaping the new development framework for the world. The theme “Sustainable development goals: Turning words into action” is an initiative put forward by the host country and endorsed by IPU leadership and member countries.
The 132nd Assembly of the IPU is an important milestone in the diplomatic history of Vietnam, particularly in 2015 as Vietnam marks the anniversary of many significant events.

Hosting the IPU-132 for the first time is an opportunity for Vietnam to learn and share experiences with international friends while introducing and promoting Vietnam’s achievements in its open diplomatic policy. The successful organisation of this event is not only a chance for the people and National Assembly of Vietnam to express friendship, solidarity and cooperation with the world’s people and parliaments but also an opportunity for Vietnam to affirm its position as well as participatory and responsible role in global issues.

After nearly one year of thorough preparations and close cooperation with the IPU Secretariat, Vietnam is entirely ready for the opening of the 132nd IPU Assembly and to welcome international delegates.

NDO