Ambassador Mai Phan Dung: Vietnam actively and responsibly contributes to the common activities of the IPU, strongly committed to multilateralism.

The working trip of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to attend the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva (Switzerland) is a very important parliamentary foreign affairs event.

Farewell ceremony for National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his wife on their official visit to Senegal, Morocco and to attend the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Switzerland, July 22. (Source: quochoi.vn)

Ahead of the working trip to attend the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments and conduct bilateral activities in Switzerland by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man , Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and other international organizations in Geneva (Switzerland) gave an interview to The Gioi va Viet Nam Newspaper.

Ambassador, please tell us about the significance and message of the working trip of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to attend the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva and conduct bilateral activities in Switzerland? What are your expectations for this special event?

Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and other international organizations in Geneva, Switzerland. (Source: Vietnamese Mission in Geneva)

The World Conference of Speakers of Parliament is the most important parliamentary foreign affairs forum on a global scale. This is an event held every five years, a very special frequency, in addition to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly held twice a year.

Notably, this Conference is held alternately at the three largest multilateral centers in the world, including New York (USA), Vienna (Austria) and Geneva (Switzerland), which are home to key United Nations agencies and leading global multilateral institutions.

If the IPU General Assembly is a regular forum, the World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments is considered the "Summit" of the parliamentary diplomacy channel, because this is the place where the largest number of parliamentary leaders from all continents gather to discuss strategic policies, shaping global parliamentary cooperation to respond to the major challenges of the times, from peace - security, sustainable development, to promoting human rights and equality.

The working trip of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to attend the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva is a very important parliamentary foreign affairs event. This is an opportunity for us to continue to make active and responsible contributions to the common activities of the IPU, contributing to promoting the IPU - United Nations cooperation relationship.

Attending the Conference at the highest level strongly demonstrates Vietnam's commitment to multilateralism, especially in the context of the United Nations and multilateral mechanisms facing many challenges, as well as the responsibility of the Vietnamese National Assembly to contribute to common efforts to respond to global challenges.

This is also an opportunity for Vietnam to continue affirming its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, diversification and deep international integration. The National Assembly Chairman's attendance and speech at the general discussion session of the Conference affirms the increasingly high role and position of the Vietnamese National Assembly in the international arena, demonstrating the responsibility and role of the Vietnamese legislative body in participating in solving global issues, while conveying the message of a dynamic Vietnam, proactively integrating and ready to cooperate for peace, justice and common prosperity.

We expect that this working trip will contribute to strengthening the cooperative relationship between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the parliaments of IPU member countries and promoting the Vietnam-Switzerland Comprehensive Partnership. At the same time, this is also an opportunity for Vietnam to learn from other countries in law-making and national policy supervision, share experiences in the process of national development, building a socialist rule-of-law state and implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, thereby gaining the support of the international community for Vietnam's development and integration priorities.

The theme of this conference is: "A world in turmoil: Parliamentary cooperation and multilateralism for peace, justice and prosperity for all people". How does the Ambassador assess the significance of this theme?

The theme of this Conference is considered very appropriate and urgent in the context of the world witnessing many profound and complex changes. From geopolitical conflicts, climate change, to non-traditional security challenges and increasing development gaps – all require more comprehensive and effective cooperation between countries.

The theme emphasizes the role of national parliaments in promoting multilateralism, dialogue and cooperation to build a world of peace, justice and prosperity for all people – the common aspiration of the people of the world. This is also the vision and commitment that Vietnam has been persistently pursuing, with the motto of “proactive, positive and responsible” in all foreign affairs activities, especially parliamentary diplomacy.

What are the main agenda items at the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament? What contributions does National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man expect to make to this multilateral forum, Ambassador?

The conference has a comprehensive agenda with many important discussions. In addition to the plenary session on the general theme, there are also 5 group discussions on issues that are attracting great attention from the international community such as: promoting the participation of women and youth in parliament, innovation to respond to global changes, the role of parliaments in shaping the digital future, protecting and promoting the rights of vulnerable people, and international cooperation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man is expected to deliver a speech at the plenary session, emphasizing Vietnam's contributions to promoting peace, sustainable development and multilateral cooperation. The Vietnamese delegation will also participate in discussions at thematic sessions on promoting the participation of women and youth in parliament and international cooperation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. At the same time, the Vietnamese delegation will actively contribute opinions to the Conference's Joint Statement, affirming Vietnam's stance and viewpoint on important international issues.

On the sidelines of the Conference, the leaders of the Vietnamese National Assembly will hold bilateral meetings to promote parliamentary relations with strategic partners, important partners and traditional friends.

"If the IPU General Assembly is a regular forum, the World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments is considered the "Summit" of the parliamentary diplomacy channel, because this is the place where the largest number of parliamentary leaders from all continents gather to discuss strategic policies, shaping global parliamentary cooperation to respond to the major challenges of the times, from peace - security, sustainable development, to promoting human rights and equality." (Ambassador Mai Phan Dung)

The 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament took place from July 29-31 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Source: IPU)

How does the Ambassador feel about the role of the National Assembly's foreign affairs in promoting friendship and cooperation and enhancing Vietnam's position in the international arena? In the current context of crisis and volatility, through multilateral diplomacy, how has Vietnam been actively and responsibly contributing to peace and prosperity in the world?

Parliamentary diplomacy is an important pillar in Vietnam's overall foreign policy, alongside Party diplomacy and State diplomacy, helping to expand the network of partners and gain international support for Vietnam's cause of national defense and development.

The National Assembly's foreign affairs activities not only contribute to strengthening and consolidating bilateral and multilateral friendship and cooperation, but also affirm Vietnam's proactive, positive and responsible position and role in the international community.

In the context of a volatile world, Vietnam has always maintained its stance of supporting the resolution of disputes by peaceful means, respecting international law and the United Nations Charter. Through multilateral mechanisms such as the IPU, ASEAN, and the United Nations, Vietnam has actively contributed to building international consensus and promoting cooperation for a world of peace, justice, and sustainable development. This is also a testament to Vietnam's foreign policy of peace, cooperation, and development.

Thank you very much Ambassador!

"We expect this working trip will contribute to strengthening the cooperative relationship between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the parliaments of IPU member countries and promoting the Vietnam-Switzerland Comprehensive Partnership." (Ambassador Mai Phan Dung)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dai-su-mai-phan-dung-viet-nam-dong-gop-tich-cuc-trach-nhiem-vao-hoat-dong-chung-cua-ipu-cam-ket-manh-me-voi-chu-nghi-da-phuong-322033.html