IPU-132: interaction between UN, parliaments under spotlight

The interaction between UN country teams and national parliaments as seen via outcomes of IPU field missions was the main topic of the March 31 session of the Office of the Standing Committee for UN Affairs as part of the 132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-132) in Hanoi. 

At the session, representatives from a dozen countries shared the outcomes, experience and lessons drawn from the tripartite collaboration among the IPU, the UN and national parliaments. They were of the view that timely assistance from the IPU and UN agencies helped enhance the capacity of national parliaments, promote the engagement of women in parliamentary activities and design agenda that really benefit the people. 

Vietnam’s representative at the session Ha Minh Hue, member of the Vietnam National Assembly’s Committee for External Relations, talked about the results of two IPU-organised field trips in Vietnam in 2009 and 2014 that were focused on HIV/AIDs control efforts. 

He said the information and experiences gained from the field trips proved to be useful for the international community in the fight against HIV/AIDS, adding that participants took note of the Vietnamese NA’s political will as well as its support of world efforts in this field. 

The Vietnamese representative affirmed that the tripartite partnership proved to be effective and needs to be maintained. 

The session also made assessment of parliaments’ institutional capacities to mainstream new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) into their work. 

Participants underlined the role of parliaments in promoting the SDGS, which are set by the UN on the basis of encouraging results over 15 years implementing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). 

They said sustainable development is the world’s top priority in the context of macroeconomic instability in many big economies, increasing inequity, serious environmental degradation and ongoing conflicts and spreading epidemics. 

Delegates said parliaments should create necessary legal corridors for SDGs implementation and push communication campaigns and activities towards these goals, which are expected to be approved by the UN by the end of this year. 

Vietnam’s representative Ha Minh Hue noted that the country has fulfilled most of the 8 MDGs, particularly those related to hunger elimination and poverty reduction. 

He agreed that the establishment and effective implementation of SDGS are necessary for the next period, adding that Vietnam has been building institutions for sustainable development, including the adoption of a national strategy for sustainable development in 2011-2020 and a national plan of action for 2013-2015. 

The Vietnamese NA is resolved to promote the implementation of the SDGs while intensifying its cooperation and coordination with the IPU and the UN, he said.

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