Global conference enhances role of young people in promoting realisation of SDGs

The Ninth Global Conference on Young Parliamentarians serves as a platform for young parliamentarians from all over the world to come together to meet and discuss issues of parliaments with a view towards enhancing the role of young people in accelerating sustainable development goals via digital transformation, innovations, cultural values, and humanity.

Expecting greater contributions from young parliamentarians
National Assembly General Secretary Bui Van Cuong emphasised that this is the largest-scale conference ever held with a diverse range of activities on offer. It is expected that the National Assembly will approve the Conference Declaration on the role of young people in promoting in Promoting the Realization of Sustainable Development Goals via Digital Transformation and Innovations.
This will be the first statement after eight conferences, thereby signaling the commitment of young people in implementing the millennium goals. Eight Global Conferences have been held so far with different themes. The 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians will focus on promoting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through digital transformation and innovation.

On 1 April, 2015, Inter-Parliamentary Union’s 132nd Assembly, which was held in the nation, ratified the Hanoi Declaration on “Sustainable Development Goals: Transform Words into Actions”.

During half of the implementation path of sustainable development goals by 2030, progress should be further accelerated. The plan requires more breakthrough efforts made by the international community with an attempt to fulfil sustainable development goals by 2030, in which the focus should be on digital transformation, technological application, innovations, looking for approaches, preserving, and performing cultural and humanitarian values.

Reality indicates that progress in carrying out SDGs remains too slow. According to the UN, only 12% of SDGs are on track, while 50% are moderately or severely off track.

This situation therefore requires the international community to make stronger contributions and make breakthroughs to achieve SDGs by 2030, including digital transformation, leveraging technology, innovation, and increasing productivity, finding approaches, and solutions, along with promoting respect for cultural diversity and the role of culture. This is taking place amid technological transformation and globalisation associated with sustainable development.

As the politicians closest to the young generation, young parliamentarians are knowledgeable regarding science and technology and will be able to contribute to bringing the voices and talents of young people to come up with solutions in the field.

Vietnam’s responsible and proactive participation

The hosting of the ninth Global Conference Young Parliamentarians by the Vietnamese National Assembly represents a practical activity to implement the guidelines of the 13th Party Congress on promoting and elevating multilateral diplomacy towards 2030 and the Vietnamese youth development strategy in the 2021 to 2030 period.

This important multilateral event contributes to affirming the nation’s active, responsible, and proactive participation in the IPU - the world's largest inter-parliamentary organisation, while simultaneously showing the country’s attention and concern for young people and the global issues of today's youth.

The conference aims to contribute to promoting Vietnamese interests through parliamentary channels, along with meeting development requirements and development trends in the new period, including digital transformation, innovation, and sustainable development.

It also propagates and widely promotes Vietnamese cultural traditions to international friends, along with showcasing its people, foreign policy, and achievements in socio-economic development.

This is viewed as an opportunity to strengthen diplomatic ties between Vietnam and many important partners, especially parliamentarians and young leaders of countries, whilst simultaneously enlisting the support of IPU and member parliaments for the cause of national protection and development.

In his speech given at the conference, National Assembly (NA) Vuong Dinh Hue said that the youth and young people are the forces shouldering the mission and historical responsibility in the process of integration and development in each country and the common prosperity of the world.

He emphasised and expressed his belief that each young parliamentarian from member parliaments will be able to promote their intelligence, youth, creativity, responsibility, and enthusiasm to actively contribute to the conference’s success.

The top Vietnamese legislator therefore asked delegates to exchange and discuss to clarify what needs to be done and how to comply with and ensure international law such as the UN Charter, which is a key condition to preserve and cultivate peace, co-operation and sustainable development.

Delegates touched upon the role of developed countries, international organisations, the business community, and young people in solving global issues such as sustainable and safe digital transformation; equitable energy transition, adaptation to climate change, and entrepreneurship and innovation.

He went on to underline the need to seek proper ways for law enforcement towards the well-being of the people, thereby allowing people and businesses to be placed truly at the centre of every policy decision in the development process which is both a goal and a driving force.

It can be seen as essential to promote cultural and human values in sustainable development, promoting respect for cultural diversity amid Industry 4.0.

This is in addition to tightening linkages in innovating the way the economy operates, sharply increasing labour productivity, creating a new driving force for economic growth, whilst simultaneously helping state agencies operate in a more effective and more transparent manner on the digitalisation roadmap. This is done in order to narrow the development gap and ensure national sovereignty, as well as personal privacy in cyberspace.

He suggested that IPU research and establish a global network of young parliamentarians on innovation who can exchange and learn from each other's experience.

The NA leader emphasized and expressed his belief that each young parliamentarian from member parliaments will promote their intelligence, youth, creativity, responsibility, and enthusiasm to actively contribute to the conference’s overall success.

In his message sent to the conference, Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong hailed the conference’s theme as reflecting the shared concern about how to capitalize on the breakthrough achievements generated by science, technology and innovation, enhance international cooperation and connectivity to further accelerate the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals, and foster young people’s engagement in the settlement of global issues so as to contribute to peace and prosperity of all countries in the world.

The State leader expressed his confidence that the Vietnamese NA will keep cooperating with other countries’ parliaments to translate recommendations and resolutions of the IPU and the Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians into concrete actions, thereby practically and effectively contributing to peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region and the world.

In his speech, IPU Secretary General Chungong applauded Vietnam’s substantial strides across a variety of fields, including digital technology with a strong commitment to combining technology with youth empowerment.

He stressed that young parliamentarians have a crucial role to play as they serve as a driving force for progress and development, contribute viewpoints and reform solutions to parliamentary processes, and also share practices and promote their voice on issues of common concern.

The official said the conference also helps affirm young women’s contributions which are necessary for not only parliaments but also the broader global mission of stepping up the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals via digital transformation and innovations. As young parliamentarians, they should become pioneers in further promoting gender equality.