132nd IPU Assembly opens in Hanoi The 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU- 132) opened in Hanoi on the evening of March 28, bringing together representatives from 166 IPU members, observers and international organizations. In his welcoming remarks, State President Truong Tan Sang highlighted the significance of the international parliamentary event, saying the IPU has become a global centre for external legislative affairs, aimed at promoting peace, democracy, and cooperation among nations and parliaments. It is a great honour for Vietnam to host the event for the first time that takes place at a special time when Vietnam is celebrating many historical events, including the anniversary of national reunification. As a pro-active and responsible member of the IPU and other international organisations, Vietnam will maximize efforts together with the international community to build a world of peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity, Sang said.  He also mentioned global instabilities caused by conflicts and disputes over national sovereignty as well as arm race that may pose threats to peace, stability and sustainable development. Issues pertaining to non-traditional and tradition security, water security and climate change require IPU members to propose practical measures to realize common targets of the humankind, Sang noted. The State President also stressed the need to turn ideas into actions so that international law and codes of conducts among nations are strictly implemented. As an active member of the IPU, Vietnam has been exerting every effort in building a stable and prosperous world. The country wants to settle disputes through peaceful solutions in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Vietnam has risen from a war-torn country to a friendly nation and an attractive destination for investors across from the world. The country’s achievements in education, healthcare, poverty reduction and gender equality have earned international plaudits, he noted. IPU President Saber Chowdhury appreciated Vietnam’s thorough preparation for the important event under the theme “Sustainable development goals: Turning words into action”. He expressed his honour to give a speech at the event in the presence of President Sang, senior officials and parliamentarians of Vietnam and other countries worldwide. Vietnam has made good preparations not only in terms of security but also contents for the IPU 132 agenda, in which people play a key role in every discusssion and their expectations is always on top priority for sustainable development plans, said the IPU President. In her statement, Amina Mohammed, Special Adviser of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon greatly valued the IPU 132’s theme and called on members of parliaments (MPs) to contribute to sustainable development via three pillars – economy, the environment and society. Amina said MPs effectively connect parliaments to citizens, and they hold a key role in the law making process as well as proposing initiatives for suitable development in different countries. She believed that cooperation between the UN and the IPU will grow in the time ahead.   NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung delivering his opening speech In his opening speech, National Assembly (NA) Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung said the IPU-132’s theme “The Sustainable Development Goals: Turning words into action” is highly important at a time when the 15-year 2000-2015 implementation of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is about to finish and the UN is to adopt an agenda for post-2015 development. The IPU is an important channel for lawmakers to promote multilateral cooperation, human rights, gender quality and democracy in the world.  The Hanoi Declaration to be issued at the event is to confirm strong commitments by MPs in order to mobilize financial resources, provide technical assistance and facilitate legislative work for sustainable development. Hung also laid emphasis on addressing urgent issues related to water management, national security, gender equality, human rights, health care, and HIV/AIDS prevention and control. During the five-day event, participants are to attend 70 sessions and adopt draft resolutions on cyber warfare, water governance, and international law in relation with national sovereignty. VOV