This conference in Vietnam marks the first time the Global Young Parliamentarians Conference has unanimously adopted a joint statement. This is the Conference Statement on "The Role of Youth in Promoting the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals through Digital Transformation and Innovation".
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| The joint statement was adopted at the closing session of the 9th Global Young Parliamentarians Conference. (Photo: TC) |
The Joint Statement of the Conference was adopted at the Closing Session on the afternoon of September 16th, chaired by Ms. Dyah Roro Esti, Indonesian Parliamentarian and member of the IPU Young Parliamentarians Forum Leadership Board. Following reports from the thematic discussion sessions, the two rapporteurs of the entire Conference shared the Conference Statement with the delegates. The Chairman of the Young Parliamentarians Forum, Dan Carden, and Ms. Ha Anh Phuong, Member of the Vietnamese National Assembly, announced the Conference Statement. Essentially, the Statement stated: We, with over 200 young parliamentarians, are present at the 9th Global Young Parliamentarians Conference from September 14-17 in Hanoi, Vietnam, to reaffirm our commitment to promoting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly through digital transformation and innovation. Our average age is 37.8 years, and approximately 37% of us are female parliamentarians. Attending the Conference were representatives from global and regional organizations, youth groups, startups, young intellectuals, and leaders from the IPU and Vietnam. We are delighted that the Conference is taking place on September 15th, the United Nations International Day for Democracy. As key innovators, technology users, and drivers of technological development, young people are playing a crucial role in placing digital transformation and innovation at the heart of efforts to accelerate the progress of the SDGs and make them more accessible to everyone, ensuring no one is left behind. It is evident that young people today are holding many important positions in the private sector, such as CEOs of technology companies and innovative startups, or investors in the field of digital transformation. And in the
political sphere, the position of young people needs to be developed similarly. We, young parliamentarians, know how to solve complex problems in a digital context, and we understand best the pulse of young people and future generations of our country. Our role is to bring their will and aspirations to the parliamentary floor. Young people are familiar with new technologies; they possess the full value to promote new solutions for the benefit of all humanity, through entrepreneurship, the development of new technologies, and the exploitation of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
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| Dan Carden, Chairman of the Young Parliamentarians Forum, and Ms. Ha Anh Phuong, Member of the Vietnamese National Assembly, announce the conference's declaration. (Photo: TC) |
The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated the strategic importance of digital tools in our parliaments. These tools can contribute to a more comprehensive, transparent legislative process, oversight, and decision-making on important issues, and enhance public participation. Science and technology are fundamental to promoting
peace and sustainable development, and also offer solutions to today's complex challenges. Science enables evidence-based and fully informed policy-making, whether it's about environmental protection, development, or conflict resolution. Science can be the basis of knowledge acquisition and solutions for the common good, creating a neutral platform for cooperation and fostering peaceful coexistence. We, young parliamentarians, can play a crucial role in developing a generation of tech-savvy and problem-solving youth to promote peace and sustainable development… To help promote the implementation of the SDGs through digital transformation and innovation, we young parliamentarians have discussed and proposed the following actions:
1. In the field of Digital Transformation, we call upon and propose that member parliaments: Update parliamentary regulations and working methods so that parliamentarians can participate and apply more online digital transformation, leverage interactive platforms to support direct dialogue between constituents and parliamentarians, and promote the participation of groups, especially young people, in parliamentary activities; Consider researching the establishment or strengthening of forward-looking parliamentary committees, such as the Future Committee and mechanisms tailored to the specific conditions of each country, to help parliament anticipate and respond to long-term trends or potential threats, while ensuring youth participation in such bodies; ensuring all parliamentarians are equipped with the necessary knowledge and technical support to fully participate in online legislative procedures; enhancing the application of virtual assistant platforms to support parliamentarians; utilizing AI tools to improve the quality of legislation; and building a digital library for national legal documents.
| Speaking to TG&VN on the sidelines of the Conference, National Assembly delegate Bui Hoai Son said that this is truly a proud achievement of the Conference. Through this, the image, views, messages, and contributions of Vietnam to the Young Parliamentarians Conference in particular and the IPU in general have been recognized and affirmed. Vietnam's role in the world has been emphasized, enabling us to truly develop the country to a new level and position. |
1. Enacting laws and policies to bridge the digital divide and ensure accessibility for all, through measures including low access costs, building digital infrastructure, and enhancing professional skills; Developing a suitable legal framework and strengthening international cooperation in protecting the digital
sovereignty of nations to create a safe, healthy, and sustainable online environment; Enacting appropriate policies and procedures to prevent and respond to all forms of online harassment and violence against parliamentarians, including violence against female parliamentarians;
2. In the field of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, we call upon and propose that member parliaments: Strengthen the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem through the development of a legal framework and increased funding for this sector. Promoting the development of
educational programs that focus on the necessary skills to prepare the future generation – a generation of young innovators and entrepreneurs who prioritize digital skills; encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation activities that focus on youth, students, and women, strengthening gender mainstreaming in relation to the SDGs; developing a separate program for digital innovation and digital entrepreneurship; (continued)
3. In the cultural field, we call upon and propose that member parliaments: Develop a common parliamentary approach to establishing a framework of principles and values in decision-making, research, and development
in science and technology, such as the IPU Code of Conduct on Scientific and Technological Ethics, to ensure that the development and application of science and technology are carried out responsibly, ethically, and sustainably; The statement strongly contributes to efforts to prevent online violence against women and girls through promoting gender equality, controlling hate speech, and managing AI so that women and girls are protected and new technologies are not gender-biased; strengthening the data protection framework and other legal tools, especially for personal data, cyber threats, and promoting open-source and transparent algorithms; the statement also expresses gratitude to the Vietnamese National Assembly for its thoughtful, professional, and successful hosting of this Global Young Parliamentarians Conference and for supporting the participation of young parliamentarians and youth, as well as promoting the implementation of the SDGs, through the IPU and international and regional inter-parliamentary mechanisms. At the same time, they will stand together to keep the promises in the Hanoi Declaration 2015 and respond to the urgent call of the 2030 Agenda. At the closing session, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue emphasized that this is the first Declaration of the Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians in its nine editions. This demonstrates the determination, high consensus, and strong commitment of IPU young parliamentarians in promoting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals globally. National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue respectfully requested the IPU Secretariat and IPU member parliaments to disseminate the results of this Conference to the United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development Goals, which will take place from September 18-19 in New York. This will honor the role, affirm the commitment, and demonstrate the actions of the IPU and young parliamentarians in particular in the global effort to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue also requested the IPU and called on member parliaments to actively implement the Conference Declaration; and to establish appropriate mechanisms for cooperation and mutual support, especially between developed and developing countries, in digital transformation and innovation.
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