IPU-132 adopts Hanoi Declaration
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Hanoi - Delegates from 133 countries and 23 international and regional parliamentary organisations yesterday wrapped up the five-day Inter-parliamentary Union's (IPU-132) general assembly by adopting the Ha Noi Declaration and several resolutions that im
The declaration of the Inter-parliamentary Union, themed Sustainable Development Goals: Turning Words into Action, was approved by parliamentarians after reviewing emerging sustainable development goals and considering how parliamentarians can achieve them. It will be submitted as an official document to the United Nations General Assembly in September.
The event included 67 sessions that discussed cyber warfare, gender equality, sustainable development, the threat of terrorism - and water governance.
IPU-132 also adopted several resolutions. They were titled Cyber warfare: A serious threat to peace and global security, Shaping a new system of water governance: Promoting parliamentary action on water, International law as it relates to national sovereignty, non-intervention in the international affairs of States and human rights.
Parliamentarians also adopted a resolution on "combating the threat of terrorism conducted by organisations such as Boko Haram against innocent civilians, in particular women and girls".
Speaking at the closing session of the IPU-132, Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung said that the adoption of the declaration involved all parliamentarians.
It reflected the expectations and commitments of the IPU and its member parliaments in the implementation of sustainable development goals, which the United Nations was working on, he said.
The event also said it was the responsibility of parliaments to provide new sustainable development goals, he added.
At a press conference, Hung noted that all IPU-132's activities were organised in the spirit of friendship, solidarity and co-operation.
"The discussion theme of Sustainable Development Goals: Turning Words into Action was an important and essential topic, which received the high consensus of parliamentary leaders, parliamentarians and IPU-132 guests," he said.
Hung said that IPU committees had adopted all four important draft resolutions on cyber warfare, water governance, national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States and human rights, and anti-terrorism.
"The success of IPU-132 proved the increasingly active role of IPU and also helped solve global challenges and shape the development of mankind," he said.
IPU President Saber Chowdhury said the 132nd IPU Assembly focused on solutions for issues rather than defining them.
"Previously we talked about problems, we described the problems and would try to add parliamentary dimension to those problems. What we have in Vietnam is a new trend within the IPU to actually look at solutions instead of just talking about problems.
"I think that reflects the change that we want to focus more on outcomes rather than process oriented.
"And when we look back on IPU work 10 years from now, we would like to identify the Hanoi assembly as the place where we had changes in mindset and changes in perspectives," he said.
"In everything that we do, the central thoughts are about the people - the human rights of people, the human security of people and the human well-being. When we talk about translating words into actions, this is really what we are talking about.
"With each resolution adopted, we, as representatives of the people, wish to transform lives of people worldwide," said Chowdhury.
After the closure of IPU-132, several "tweets" mentioned about the success of the event.
The IPU Parliament tweeted: "Many thanks and congratulations to Vietnam for a memorable IPU 132 assembly. A great job well done!"
Meanwhile IPU President Chowdhury tweeted: "Deep and sincere thanks Vietnam Parliament and people for great IPU assembly."
