Vietnam - A Pioneer in Realizing the UN’s Sustainable Goals

Vietnam - A Pioneer in Realizing the UN’s Sustainable Goals

The 9th Global Conference on Young Parliamentarians saw the participation of over 300 young parliamentarians and delegates from more than 70 IPU member parliaments. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP
The scene at the opening session of the 9th Global Conference on Young Parliamentarians. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP

Addressing the 9th Global Conference on Young Parliamentarians in Hanoi, Vietnam, a collaborative effort between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), numerous international representatives expressed strong admiration for the significant role played by the Vietnamese National Assembly in both regional and global parliamentary platforms. They lauded Vietnam's endeavors in fostering the active participation of young individuals in both domestic and international affairs.

The conference saw the participation of over 300 young parliamentarians and delegates from more than 70 IPU member parliaments, as well as representatives from international organizations, foreign diplomatic missions, and international organizations in Vietnam. It included 124 members of the Vietnamese National Assembly Youth Delegation, 20 outstanding Vietnamese youth, and 20 delegates from provincial-level Youth People's Councils in Vietnam.

Participating in the conference, whether in bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the conference or in official speeches, IPU Secretary-General Martin Chungong spoke passionately about his impressions and evaluations of Vietnam's active and responsible contributions to the IPU and other regional parliamentary forums, especially in the pursuit of sustainable development goals. In his official address at the opening ceremony of the 9th Global Conference on Young Parliamentarians, Martin Chungong emphasized Vietnam's role as a "beacon" in empowering youth when it comes to technology.


IPU President Duarte Pacheco praised Vietnam's efforts in advocating for and elevating the role of youth. Vietnam has turned words into actions, creating a space for young parliamentarians to enhance their roles.

President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Duarte Pacheco, receives a surprise gift-a silk scarf, an OCOP product from artisan Phan Thi Thuan (My Duc district, Hanoi). Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP
 Sustainable development has been a longstanding priority for Vietnam throughout its history of nation-building. It draws from a rich reservoir of traditional wisdom in dealing with disaster response, prevention, and adaptating to nature. There has always been a profound connection between socio-economic development and the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural values. This is also evident in the tradition of caring for the younger generation, the future of each family and society as a whole.

Vietnam's initiative in organizing the 9th Global Conference on Young Parliamentarians with the theme "The Role of Young People in Promoting the Realization of Sustainable Development Goals via Digital Transformation and Innovations" has once again been recognized by international friends as a historic milestone in realizing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, especially considering the limited time of seven years remaining to implement the SDGs due to the prolonged global fight against COVID-19.

Notably, for the first time in the history of its nine editions, the 9th Global Conference on Young Parliamentarians in Hanoi adopted a Statement on "The Role of Young People in Promoting the Realization of Sustainable Development Goals via Digital Transformation and Innovations". National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue asserted that this reflects the high determination, consensus, and strong commitment of young IPU parliamentarians to promote sustainable development goals globally.

The 9th Global Conference on Young Parliamentarians is the largest multilateral diplomatic event of 2023 hosted by Vietnam. It is also the first time Vietnam has hosted the Global Young Parliamentarians' Conference.

The Conference was a resounding success, concluding a vibrant and effective agenda. However, it marks a new and promising beginning in harnessing the roles of young parliamentarians, young people, and the IPU member parliaments in the world's collective efforts to achieve sustainable development goals./.

    • Story: Ngan Ha    Photos: Viet Cuong/VNP    Translated by Hong Hanh

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