The APPF Executive Committee Meeting passed the theme, agenda, and working programme of the 26th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF-26) on January 18.
Vietnamese NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan speaks at the event (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The APPF Executive Committee Meeting passed the theme, agenda,and working programme of the 26th Annual Meeting of the Asia-PacificParliamentary Forum (APPF-26) on January 18.
Chairingthe meeting, Vietnamese National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan saidthe adoption of the Hanoi Declaration would be a significant task of theAPPF-26.
TheHanoi Declaration, proposed by Vietnam and supported by participatingmembers of the committee, contains three main parts: major achievements of APPFsince 1993; APPF in a fast-changing world; and parliamentary partnership for ashared future of Asia-Pacific and APPF new development visions.
Itemphasises the role of APPF in promoting the implementation of the SustainableDevelopment Goals in line with the 2030 Development Agenda adopted by theUnited Nations in 2015 as well as supports the cooperation with APEC and otherregional, international institutions. It also inherits the principles set inother APPF Milestone Declarations, namely Vancouver, Valparaiso and New Tokyo.
Theexecutive committee agreed with the Drafting Committee’s establishment of fourworking groups on peace and security, transnational and trans-boundary crime;economy, trade and regional economic integration; regional cooperation, climatechange, food security, cultural cooperation and sustainable development; and genderequality .
Italso supported Japan’s draft resolution on amendment to the APPF Rules ofProcedure, which focuses on turning the APPF Women Parliamentarians Meeting intoan official part of APPF annual meetings. The draft will be discussed atupcoming plenary sessions.
Participatingmembers agreed with the selection of Cambodia as the host of the APPF-27, whichis slated for January 2019.
TheAPPF-26, themed “Parliamentary partnership for peace, innovation andsustainable development”, will continue on January 19 with two plenary sessionson politics-security and economics-trade matters.
TheAPPF was officially formed in Tokyo, Japan, in 1993. The forum now gathers 27members. It is a mechanism that enables parliamentarians to discuss issues ofcommon concern, and to deepen their understanding of the region and theinterests and experience of its diverse members. The forum’s proceedingsaddress political, security, economic, social and cultural issues, thusfurthering regional cooperation and building relations between and amongparliamentarians from the Asia-Pacific region.-VNA
More than 350 delegates from member nations have registered to attend the 26th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF-26), heard a press conference in Hanoi on January 17.
The Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) is a platform for parliamentarians and parliaments in the Asia – Pacific region with the aim of directly supporting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
The 26th Annual Meeting of the APPF-26, themed “Parliamentary partnership for peace, innovation and sustainable development”, is to open in Hanoi on Jan 18 with 3 key meetings scheduled for the day.
The APPF Meeting of Women Parliamentarians opened in Hanoi on January 18, seeking ways to promote gender equality and empowerment of women and girls for sustainable development and shared prosperity.
Head of the National Assembly’s Committee for External Relations Nguyen Van Giau has stated that Vietnam consistently values and prioritises the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia.
Vietnam is deeply concerned about the escalating and complex conflict in the Middle East, which poses a serious threat to the lives and safety of civilians, as well as to regional and global peace and stability.
The Vietnamese Embassy advises the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in Israel to strictly comply with directions from the Home Front Command and local authorities.
Lawmakers are set to vote on revisions and amendments to a broad spectrum of legal frameworks and impactful resolutions during the final week of the 15th NA's 9th session.
The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOVA) has served as a bridge connecting and uniting the community with the homeland, becoming a trusted source of support for Vietnamese expats in times of hardship.
The programme to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses has achieved notable results, with nearly 263,000 housing units addressed to date, including 225,000 houses inaugurated and 38,000 under construction. Thirty-eight provinces and cities across the nation have already fulfilled their targets.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Vietnamese NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan speaks at the event (Source: VNA) 
