GENEVA – It is essential to create a full legal framework to protect the rights of migrants and promote their contributions to the development of each nation in terms of both economy, culture and knowledge, said Chairwoman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân.

Ngân made the statement during the general debate on migrants and refugees of the 138th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly which opened in Geneva, Switzerland yesterday.

Themed ‘Strengthening the global regime for migrants and refugees: the need for evidence-based policy solutions’, the general debate drew 700 parliamentarians and National Assembly deputies, including more than 60 heads of legislative bodies.

Ngân said the IPU should encourage the participation of member countries in protecting the rights and interests of people and contribute to coping with challenges and risks, particularly migration.

She affirmed Việt Nam’s policy to ensure all people are equal and create conditions for people to adopt the right to migrate and join socio-economic development, exchanges and community connectivity.

At international level, Việt Nam supports legal migration activities, particularly labour migration and resolutely fights against illegal migration, especially human trafficking and transnational crimes, she said.

“Việt Nam is willing and actively joins global efforts in dealing with migration issue in line with development level, national law and international treaties of which Việt Nam is a member,” she said.

To deal with crises relating to immigration, it was necessary to increase co-operation at global level with countries and international organisations, Ngân said.

The international community should continue promoting legal frameworks with international commitments to ensure the rights of legal migrants and to prevent illegal immigration, human trafficking and transnational crimes, she added.

She also pointed to the need to promote co-operation among nations with regional and international organisations to create resources and support countries affected by illegal immigration and to give propose solutions to the issue.

In her opening remarks, IPU President Gabriela Cuevas Barron stressed the importance of the Asia-Pacific region, which holds 60 per cent of the world’s GDP, adding that the region plays an important role in addressing major challenges like climate change, sustainable development, migration, inequality and terrorism.

She emphasised the necessity of regional co-operation to tackle these challenges.

At the event, IPU General Secretary Martin Chungong reported on IPU activities in 2017, with the focus on activities to intensify democracy of member parliaments, promote gender equality and human rights and contribute to consolidating peace and ensuring security.

The meeting of the IPU-138 Executive Committee, to last until March 28, will look into issues regarding IPU members, as well as financial matters, the IPU Strategy for 2017-2021, the union’s co-operation with the UN, and preparations for the IPU-139 slated for October 2018 in Geneva.

The First Standing Committee on Peace and International Security will discuss maintaining peace to achieve sustainable development.

Meanwhile, the Second Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, Finance and Trade will talk about promoting the private sector’s engagement in implementing sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially those regarding renewable energy.

The Third Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights will mull enhancing inter-parliamentary co-operation in migration and migration administration.

The Fourth Standing Committee on UN Affairs is expected to deliberate SDGs and preparations for the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in 2018.

Alongside forums of female and young parliaments, there will be a forum of the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments on collaboration between parliaments and Governments in planning and organisation of parliamentary activities.

On the sidelines the IPU-138, Chairwoman Ngân met with Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament Karu Jayasuriya and Speaker of the National Assembly of Bulgaria Tsveta Karayancheva on Sunday. — VNS