Chairwoman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and the Vietnamese delegation at the general debate on migrants and refugees of the IPU-138. (Source: VNA) Geneva (VNA) – Chairwoman of the Vietnamese National Assembly NguyenThi Kim Ngan attended the general debate on migrants and refugees of the 138thInter-Parliamentary Union Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland on March 25(local time).
Themed “Strengthening the global regime for migrants andrefugee: the need for evidence-based policy solutions”, the general debate drew700 parliamentarians and National Assembly deputies, including over 60 heads ofthe legislative bodies.
In her opening remarks, IPU President G.Cuevas Barronstressed the importance of the Asia-Pacific region which holds 60 percent ofthe world’s GDP, adding that the region plays an important role in addressingsuch major challenges as climate change, sustainable development, migration andrefugee, inequality and terrorism.
She emphasised the necessity of regional cooperation to dealwith these challenges.
At the event, IPU General Secretary Martin Chungong reportedon IPU activities in 2017, with the focus on activities to intensify strengthand promote democracy of member parliaments, promote gender equality and humanrights, and contribute to consolidating peace, preventing conflicts and ensuringsecurity, while boosting inter-parliamentary dialogue and cooperation.
Themeeting of the IPU-138 Executive Committee, to last until March 28, will lookinto issues regarding IPU members, as well as financial matters, the IPUStrategy for 2017-2021, the union’s cooperation with the UN, and preparationsfor the IPU-139 slated for October 2018 in Geneva.
TheFirst Standing Committee on Peace and International Security will focus discussionon maintaining peace as a mean to achieve sustainable development.
Meanwhile,the Second Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, Finance and Tradewill talk about promoting the private sector’s engagement in implementingsustainable development goals (SDGs), especially those regarding renewableenergy.
TheThird Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights will mull over enhancinginter-parliamentary cooperation in migration and migration administration.
TheFourth Standing Committee on UN Affairs is expected to deliberate SDGs andpreparations for the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in2018.
Alongsideforums of female and young parliaments, there will be a forum of the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments (ASGP)on cooperation between parliaments and Governments in planning and organisationof parliamentary activities.-VNA
VNA
