In her opening remarks, Ms. Ngan said Vietnam’s second hosting of the APPF reflects its role and responsibility. She called for further cooperation between legislatures: “At this forum, in addition to security, cooperation in response to climate change, and trade, we aim to build a new vision after 25 years of development. We will closely follow our theme of ‘Parliamentary partnership for peace, innovation, and sustainable development’ and our new vision needs to be based on tightened parliamentary partnerships and promote peace and sustainable development.”

In his welcoming remarks, President Tran Dai Quang praised the role of APPF and APEC in promoting economic freedom and regional connectivity, and creating opportunities for people in the region. He urged the forum to further enhance regional links: “The forum needs to take the lead in promoting multilateral cooperation and prioritizing peace, stability, and peaceful settlement of disputes. Peace and sustainable development always go together. It’s important to strengthen efforts to ensure inclusive development so that no one is left behind, focus on ensuring food security, water resources, and energy, and supporting medium, small, and micro enterprises to further penetrate into the global market. The forum needs to contribute to devising a new vision for the Asia-Pacific region.”

The same day, NA Chairwoman Ngan hosted a banquet in honor of delegates attending the APPF-26.

During the 4-day forum, delegates will discuss politics and security, economics and trade, cooperation in the Asia Pacific region, and APPF issues. They are expected to adopt the Hanoi Declaration which will outline a new development period of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Partnership.