This conference in Vietnam is the first time that the Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians has unanimously adopted a joint statement. That is the Conference Statement on "The role of youth in promoting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals through digital transformation and innovation".
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| Joint Statement adopted at the Closing Session of the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians. (Photo: TC) |
The Joint Declaration of the Conference was adopted at the Closing Session of the Conference on the afternoon of September 16, chaired by Ms. Dyah Roro Esti, Member of the Indonesian Parliamentarians' Council, member of the IPU Young Parliamentarians' Forum. After listening to the reports of the thematic discussions, two reporters of the entire Conference shared with the delegates the Declaration of the Conference. Chairman of the Young Parliamentarians' Forum Dan Carden and Ms. Ha Anh Phuong, Member of the Vietnamese National Assembly, announced the Declaration of the Conference. Accordingly, the Declaration of the Conference basically stated: We, with more than 200 young parliamentarians, are present at the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians from September 14-17 in Hanoi, Vietnam to affirm our commitment to promoting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) organized from, especially through digital transformation and innovation. Our average age is 37.8 years old and about 37% of us are female parliamentarians. The Conference was attended by representatives of global and regional organizations, youth groups, startups, young intellectuals and leaders from the IPU and Vietnam. We are delighted that the Conference falls on September 15, the United Nations International Day for Democracy. As key innovators, technology users and technology enablers, young people are playing a key role in putting digital transformation and innovation at the heart of activities to accelerate progress on the SDGs and make them more accessible to everyone and leave no one behind. It can be seen that young people today are already taking on many important positions in the private sector such as CEOs of technology companies and innovative startups, or investors in the field of digital transformation. And in the political sphere, the position of young people needs to be developed in a similar way. We, young parliamentarians, know how to solve complex problems in the digital context and we understand best the pulse of young people and future generations of our country. Our role is to bring their will and aspirations to the parliament. Young people are familiar with new technologies, they fully possess the values to promote new solutions for the benefit of all humanity, through entrepreneurship, developing new technologies and exploiting Artificial Intelligence (AI).
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| Chairman of the Young Parliamentarians Forum Dan Carden and Ms. Ha Anh Phuong, National Assembly Delegate of Vietnam, announced the Conference's statement. (Photo: TC) |
The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated the strategic importance of digital tools in our parliaments. These tools can contribute to more inclusive, transparent and participatory legislation, oversight and decision-making on key issues. Science and technology are fundamental to promoting peace and sustainable development, and also provide solutions to today’s complex challenges. Science enables evidence-based and informed policy-making, whether on environmental protection, development or conflict resolution. Science can be the basis for the search for knowledge and solutions for common good, providing a neutral ground for cooperation and motivating peaceful coexistence. We, young parliamentarians, can play an important role in developing a generation of young people who are tech-savvy and capable of solving problems to promote peace and sustainable development… To help promote the implementation of the SDGs through digital transformation and innovation, we young parliamentarians have discussed and proposed the following actions:
1. In the area of Digital Transformation, we call on and recommend that member parliaments: Update parliamentary regulations and working methods so that parliamentarians can participate and apply online, digitally transform more, take advantage of interactive platforms to support direct dialogue between voters and parliamentarians, promote the participation of groups, especially young people, in parliamentary activities; Consider exploring the establishment or strengthening of forward-looking parliamentary committees, such as the Future Committee and other country-specific mechanisms, to help parliaments anticipate and respond to long-term trends or potential threats, while ensuring that young people are involved in such bodies; Ensure that all parliamentarians are equipped with the necessary knowledge and technical support to fully participate in online legislative processes; increase the use of virtual assistant platforms to support parliamentarians; use AI tools to improve the quality of legislation; and build a digital library of national legal documents;
| Sharing with TG&VN on the sidelines of the Conference, National Assembly Delegate Bui Hoai Son said that this is truly a proud result of the Conference. Through this, the image, viewpoint, message, and contribution of Vietnam to the Conference of Young Parliamentarians in particular and the IPU in general are recognized and affirmed. Vietnam's role in the world is emphasized so that we can truly develop the country to a new stature and position. |
Enact legislation and policies to bridge the digital divide and ensure access for all, including through low-cost access, building digital infrastructure and enhancing professional skills; Develop appropriate legal frameworks and enhance international cooperation in protecting countries’ digital sovereignty to provide a safe, healthy and sustainable online environment; Enact appropriate policies and procedures to prevent and respond to forms of online harassment and violence against parliamentarians, including violence against women parliamentarians;
2. In the area of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, we call on and recommend that member parliaments: Strengthen the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, through the development of legal frameworks and increased funding for this sector. Promote the development of education programmes focusing on the skills needed to prepare the next generation - the generation of innovators and young entrepreneurs who prioritize digital skills; Encourage start-ups and innovation activities focusing on youth, students and women, and enhance gender mainstreaming linked to the SDGs; develop a dedicated programme for digital innovation and digital start-ups; (continued)
3. In the field of culture, we call on and recommend that member parliaments: Develop a common parliamentary approach to establish a framework of principles and values in decision-making, research and development in science and technology, such as the IPU Code of Conduct on the Ethics of Science and Technology, to ensure that the development and application of science and technology are carried out responsibly, ethically and sustainably; Contribute strongly to efforts to prevent online violence against women and girls, through promoting gender equality, controlling hate speech and regulating AI so that women and girls are protected and new technologies are gender-biased; Strengthen data protection framework laws and other legal instruments, especially on personal data, cyber threats and promoting open source and transparent algorithms; The Statement also thanks the National Assembly of Vietnam for hosting this thoughtful, professional and successful Global Meeting of Young Parliamentarians and supports the participation of young parliamentarians, young people as well as the promotion of the implementation of the SDGs, through the IPU and international and regional inter-parliamentary mechanisms. At the same time, we will stand together to keep the promise in the Hanoi Declaration 2015 and respond to the urgent call of the 2030 Agenda. At the closing session, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue emphasized that this is the first Declaration of the Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians after 9 sessions. That demonstrates the determination, high consensus and strong commitment of young IPU parliamentarians in promoting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals on a global scale. National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue respectfully requested the IPU Secretariat and IPU member parliaments to disseminate the results of this Conference to the United Nations Summit on the Sustainable Development Goals, which will take place from September 18-19 in New York. Thereby honoring the role, affirming the commitment and actions of the IPU and young parliamentarians in particular in the common global effort to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue also requested the IPU and called on member parliaments to actively implement the Conference Declaration; at the same time, establish appropriate mechanisms for cooperation and mutual support, especially between developed and developing countries in digital transformation and innovation.
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