Vice Chair of the National Assembly Tòng Thị Phóng reviews the process of making preparations for the 132nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union at Thăng Long Imperial Citadel
On the morning of 18 March 2015, at the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel, Comrade Tòng Thị Phóng, Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly, Deputy head of the State-level Steering Committee for IPU 132, Head of the Organizing Committee for the 132nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union worked with the logistics teams and the departments of Hanoi to review the preparations for the meeting of the IPU 132 general assembly in Vietnam.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the biggest inter-parliamentary organization in the world, with a cooperation mechanism that was established more than 125 years ago. This is an important international forum for members of parliaments all over the world who come to exchange ideas and propose solutions to issues like peace, security, cooperation and development among countries in the world. Through this forum, bilateral and multilateral ties are built and nurtured. IPU is having an increasing influence on the economic and political life of the whole world.
Vietnam joined IPU in April 1979 and has actively participated in all the areas of IPU, such as political, economic, socio-cultural issues, laws, human rights, etc. Over the past 35 years, the National Assembly of Vietnam, with its growing role and reputation as well as its regular activities at annual multilateral forums, has always been a proactive, responsible and viable member in the international community.
IPU 132 is slated to take place in five days, from 28 March to 1 April. This is an important foreign policy activity for Vietnam, as it will be attended by more than a thousand participants and deputies from 166 member countries.
Under the theme of “Parliaments and the Implementation of Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda”, IPU 132 is expected to create an opportunity for the parliaments of member countries to engage in exchange of ideas about the post-2015 development strategies. At this forum, Vietnam has 12 participating National Assembly deputies and 15 others will be presenting important issues related to democracy, human rights and sustainable development.
The organization of IPU-132 will help enhance the reputation of the country in general and that of the National Assembly in particular, thereby promoting the friendly cooperation and exchange between Vietnam and other countries and international agencies, and uplifting Vietnam’s position on the world stage. By hosting IPU 132, Hanoi has earned an opportunity to introduce and promote its economic achievements and present itself as a destination for international visitors. Participants at the IPU conference will have a chance to see with their own eyes and enjoy the beauty of Vietnam and its culture and people in general and Hanoi in particular, thus contributing to the attraction of investment, trade, tourism and cultural exchange.
Some photos of Vice Chairwoman Tòng Thị Phóng at the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel.
Thăng Long – Hà Nội Heritage Conservation Centre
