Nguyễn Anh Tuấn, Secretary of the Bắc Ninh Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Young National Assembly Deputies Group. — Photo from the National Assembly

HÀ NỘI — The 9th Global Young Parliamentarians Conference (GCYP) is poised to make history as it convenes in Hà Nội from September 14 to 17, 2023, bringing together young parliamentarians from an impressive array of 173 countries.

Nguyễn Anh Tuấn, Secretary of the Bắc Ninh Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Young National Assembly Deputies Group, said the event carries immense global significance, serving as a platform to strengthen the role of parliaments worldwide and particularly emphasising the pivotal role of young parliamentarians in advancing sustainable development goals.

Tuấn shed light on the meticulous preparations Việt Nam has made to ensure the success of the conference. The journey towards securing the consensus of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) for Việt Nam's role as the host commenced two years ago, involving extensive negotiations and advocacy activities with the IPU, member Parliaments, and international partners.

These efforts culminated in a pivotal moment when, on March 13, 2023, within the framework of the 146th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly in Manama, Bahrain, Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, Trần Thanh Mẫn, received IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong and witnessed the signing of the Agreement for hosting the 9th Global Young Parliamentarians Conference in Hà Nội in September 2023.

The conference's scale and its substantive agenda make it a foreign affairs event of paramount importance. It underscores Việt Nam’s proactive, responsible, and engaged participation in the world's largest inter-parliamentary institution. Furthermore, it highlights the keen interest of Việt Nam’s Party and State leaders in harnessing the potential of young National Assembly delegates to shape policies, enact laws, and drive innovation, digital transformation, and entrepreneurial spirit.

The conference aligns with the broader strategic vision of Việt Nam, as it actively pursues the Sustainable Development Goals set forth by the United Nations and IPU Resolutions. It embodies the nation's commitment to implementing Directive No 25-CT/TW of the 12th Party Central Committee Secretariat, aimed at elevating the level of multilateral diplomacy until 2030 and advancing Vietnamese youth development strategy for the 2021-2030 period, Tuấn said.

"This conference not only reinforces Việt Nam’s role in international parliamentary diplomacy but also offers a golden opportunity to showcase Việt Nam’s cultural traditions, its people, and its socio-economic achievements. It also provides a platform to engage with parliamentary partners worldwide, thereby advancing Việt Nam’s foreign policy objectives," he said.

He also underscores the broader significance of Việt Nam’s hosting duties, noting that it serves as a unique occasion to bolster diplomatic relations with international partners, particularly parliamentarians and emerging leaders from across the globe.

The journey of the Young National Assembly Deputies Group has been marked by milestones since its inception in 2015 during the 13th National Assembly. The group, which now comprises 124 members from the 15th National Assembly, has been actively engaged not only within the National Assembly but also on the international stage.

Notably, at the 41st AIPA General Assembly hosted by the National Assembly of Việt Nam in September 2020, a groundbreaking initiative was proposed – the establishment of an annual conference mechanism for young parliamentarians within the Inter-Parliamentary Council of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). This initiative garnered unanimous approval from AIPA member parliaments, heralding a significant development in the regional landscape for young parliamentarians.

The group has been proactive in engaging with international partners through bilateral talks and exchanges, sharing valuable experiences in parliamentary activities and collaborating with various international organisations with ties to Việt Nam. These efforts have not only deepened relations between the National Assembly of Việt Nam and other countries but have also elevated Việt Nam’s standing in the global and regional arena.

Participation in multilateral parliamentary forums has been another avenue through which the Young National Assembly Deputies Group has made a substantial impact. They have actively contributed to discussions and offered proposals on issues of global and regional concern. Their contributions at forums such as the IPU Young Parliamentarians Forum and APF Young Parliamentarians Network have been acknowledged and appreciated by member parliaments and the IPU Young Parliamentarians Forum, he said.

Tuấn said the focus of the 9th Global Young Parliamentarians Conference on the role of youth in promoting the implementation of sustainable development goals through digital transformation and innovation reflects a recognition of the profound impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This revolution has prompted nations worldwide to recalibrate their development strategies, emphasising modernisation and the application of science and technology in governance.

It is with this backdrop that Việt Nam has set forth a vision that places youth, at the core of this transformative journey, and sees them as the driving force behind the digital transformation, innovation, and development of the country.

He reveals that the conference will feature three thematic sessions: Digital Transformation, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Promoting Respect for Cultural Diversity for Sustainable Development. Additionally, discussions will delve into the strengthening of digital capabilities for young people. These topics resonate with global concerns and the priorities of IPU member Parliaments.

Young parliamentarians are ideally positioned to contribute to policy development and legislative initiatives in these areas, thereby advancing not only Việt Nam’s development goals but also contributing to global progress and narrowing the development gap.

At the conference, the Group of Young National Assembly Deputies, infused with a strong sense of responsibility and youthful enthusiasm, will collaborate closely with relevant agencies to ensure meticulous preparation and active participation in the conference's general discussion sessions.

One of the most anticipated outcomes of the conference is the "Hà Nội Declaration on the role of youth in promoting the implementation of sustainable development goals through digital transformation and innovation”, Tuấn said.

This declaration, if endorsed by parliamentary delegations, will serve as a crucial document in galvanising governments to implement sustainable development goals through digital transformation and innovation, emphasising the central role of young people and young parliamentarians as key architects of policies and laws.

As the leader of the Vietnamese Young National Assembly Deputies Group, Tuấn said the group aims to fulfill its objectives by actively engaging in discussions, sharing experiences, and presenting Vietnamese youth as dynamic, responsible, and solution-driven participants in addressing global challenges.

This conference is a testament to Việt Nam’s commitment to playing an active role in global affairs, particularly in the realm of parliamentary diplomacy and the pursuit of sustainable development goals. It signifies Việt Nam’s emergence as a responsible and forward-looking nation on the world stage, committed to forging partnerships and contributing to the betterment of humanity, he emphasised. — VNS