(VOVworld)- The 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-132) Assembly adopted the Hanoi Declaration at the end of the five-day gathering that wrapped up in Hanoi on Wednesday. The declaration is an important document reflecting IPU members’ vision and contributing to policies and sustainable post-2015 UN development goals.
The Declaration reaffirms the vision of a people-centered sustainable development based on ensuring human rights and a commitment to boosting the national role in implementing sustainable development goals.
The Hanoi Declaration was released while the UN is reviewing the millennium development goals and preparing for the post-2015 development program which will be submitted sent to the UN General Assembly’s summit in September.
Turning words into action
The Hanoi Declaration marks a new trend in IPU activities which will focus on seeking the most effective solutions to turn commitments into specific actions. IPU President Saber Choudhury said this is the first time sustainable development goals- a major global issue- were adopted in a declaration: “Previously we would talk about problems, we would describe the problems and we would like to add the parliamentary dimension to those problems, what we have in Vietnam, I think is a new trend within the IPU. That is we are actually looking at solutions. We are not just talking about the problems. And if you look at the emergency items, generally debates that we’ve had “sustainable development goals, turning words into actions”. All of this is motivated by the fact that we want to enrich. It reflects the trend within the IPU that we want to be more outcome focus, more solution focus rather than process oriented”.
The theme “Sustainable development goals- Turning words into action” was reflected in all discussions at the IPU 132. All countries in the world wish for sustainable development but none of them can prosper without addressing challenges like poverty, increasing population, dwindling natural resources, environmental pollution and degrading biodiversity. The world can’t develop sustainably without peace, equality and legal compliance. Hans Franken is a member of the Dutch Parliament: “I think that is the very important issue. People have to decide themselves how they want to live. We are there to support each other. But there are some situations in countries. Now the IS are making a big battle and they are denying human’s rights. It’s our responsibility to protect the people who are the victims of that war”.
Toward sustainable development goals
In 2015, the IPU will promote its action programs along with UN action programs for the next 15 years. Major decisions of the Assembly are reflected in the Hanoi Declaration, a document that demonstrates IPU’s aspirations and commitments to implementing UN SDGs until 2030. Annette King is a member of New Zealand’s Parliament: “I think it is a good start. I’m quite critical of the sustainable development goals themselves because I think there are too many, and they are not distinct enough. But what we have to remember is we are trying to get a declaration across a lot of countries here. Over 100 of countries are represented by the parliamentarian here. What we’ve had in one word is probably the consent that we received”.
The Hanoi Declaration conforms to Vietnam’s development orientation. For the first time in 36 years of membership in the IPU, Vietnam hosted the 132nd Assembly, The success of the event opens a new chapter for IPU’s development.