CLOSING OF THE 9TH GLOBAL YOUNG PARLIAMENTARIES CONFERENCE: ACHIEVEMENT OF COMMON AWARENESS ON INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND THE PIONEER ROLE OF YOUNG PARLIAMENTARIES
LIVE REPORT ON THE AFTERNOON OF SEPTEMBER 16: CLOSING SESSION OF THE 9TH GLOBAL YOUNG PARLIAMENTARIES CONFERENCE
The first Conference Declaration
The Conference Declaration not only affirms the strong commitment and common voice of young parliamentarians around the world in performing their duties as parliamentarians, their responsibility for the activities of the IPU in general, and their determination to promote the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The content that was discussed in depth at this 9th conference and is also clearly expressed in the Conference Declaration are proposals for action in the fields of digital transformation, innovation and entrepreneurship, and culture.
The Conference Declaration “The role of youth in promoting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals through digital transformation and innovation” was achieved for the first time after 9 conferences, not only marking the Young Parliamentarians Forum within the framework of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) but also marking the host country Vietnam when proposing an initiative on the Conference Declaration. Vietnam's proposal was quickly agreed and supported by the leaders, the IPU Secretariat and member parliaments. Vietnam's contributions and initiatives continue to affirm the support of the Vietnamese National Assembly and Vietnam in general for the participation of young parliamentarians, young people and promoting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through the IPU and international and regional inter-parliamentary mechanisms.
To have a Conference Declaration requires that during the discussion of the contents, there must be a high level of consensus on the assessment of the situation, identification of challenges and risks to be faced, and especially the viewpoint on promoting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals through digital transformation and innovation and the role of young people, and consensus on action proposals. Obviously, without "looking in the same direction" with determination and high efforts, it will be difficult to have a Conference Declaration.
Overview of the Conference Closing Ceremony
Through the Conference Declaration, young parliamentarians clearly affirmed their commitment, expressed concerns about the progress of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, assessed the context and situation of the world where there are rapid changes and identified opportunities that can be exploited, emphasizing the role of young people and the responsibility of young parliamentarians. From there, young parliamentarians discussed and agreed on proposals for action.
Affirming commitment to promoting the implementation of SDGs
The Conference Declaration stated: More than 300 young parliamentarians are present at the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians from September 14-17, 2023 in Hanoi, Vietnam to affirm their commitment to promoting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially through digital transformation and innovation.
The conference in Viet Nam marks the eighth anniversary of the Hanoi Declaration on the SDGs, which was adopted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union in 2015 and set out the commitment of parliamentarians to address global priorities. As the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is now halfway through its journey, this is a crucial and decisive moment.
Chairman of the Young Parliamentarians Forum Dan Carden and Vietnamese National Assembly Delegate Ha Anh Phuong presented the draft Declaration of the Conference.
The young parliamentarians highlighted and expressed concern that with less than seven years to go to achieve the SDGs, only 12% of the targets are currently being achieved, while 50% of the targets are still moderately to severely behind schedule. These results require not only serious reflection but also decisive action, with particular attention to the remaining gaps in achieving the targets on education, gender equality, employment, economic growth, climate action, peace, justice and institutions, as these are of particular concern to young people.
Faced with the reality that there are still 258 million children out of school, the rate of young people not in employment, education, or training has risen to 23.4%, young women still have it harder than men, and there has not been a balance when it comes to the representation of women and young people in political participation... young parliamentarians agreed that we need to work faster, more creatively, and with more urgency to achieve the common agenda that all countries have agreed.
As the world is witnessing rapid developments in technology, digital transformation and innovation, young parliamentarians believe that these potentials need to be harnessed to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs, especially issues that are important to young people. As key innovators, technology users and technology enablers, young people are in a key position to put digital transformation and innovation at the heart of actions to accelerate the SDGs and make them more accessible to all and leave no one behind.
Young parliamentarians attending the Conference
The Conference Declaration highlights the role of young parliamentarians who are best able to address complex issues in the digital landscape and who have the pulse of the youth and future generations of their countries and must bring the will and aspirations of young people to the parliament. The Conference Declaration also reiterates the call for parliamentarians and political leaders to take transformative action to engage more young people in politics by joining the IPU Campaign “I support youth participation in parliament!”.
Maximize efficiency, minimize risk while harnessing the power of technology and innovation
The Conference Declaration recognizes the strategic importance of digital tools in parliaments that can contribute to more inclusive and transparent legislative, oversight, decision-making processes and enhanced public participation. Real-time interaction channels can enable instantaneous interactions between constituents and representatives.
At the same time, science and technology are fundamental to promoting peace and sustainable development, and also provide solutions to today’s complex challenges. 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.
Delegation of young Vietnamese National Assembly delegates attending the Conference
The young thinkers also argued that when harnessing the power of technology and innovation, efforts must be made to maximize the benefits they bring while minimizing unintended risks. This includes taking an ethical and prudent approach to science and technology to ensure that they are used for the benefit of humanity and the environment, while ensuring privacy, security and well-being. At the same time, in promoting digital transformation and innovation, the richness of different cultures, experiences and perspectives should be respected. Cultural diversity is a strength for sustainable development, which should not only be protected but also cherished.
More digital transformation in the way parliaments work
In the area of Digital Transformation, the IPU young parliamentarians called on and recommended 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 studying the establishment or strengthening of parliamentary committees towards the future; Ensure that all parliamentarians are equipped with the necessary knowledge and technical support to fully participate in online legislative procedures; increase the application of virtual assistant platforms to support parliamentarians; use AI tools to improve the quality of legislation; and build a digital library for national legal documents;
Overview of the thematic discussion session 1 within the framework of the Conference
Enact laws and policies to bridge the digital divide and ensure access for all; Develop appropriate legal frameworks and enhance international cooperation in protecting countries’ digital sovereignty to create 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;
Support the development of effective information and data collection mechanisms and methods to monitor the implementation of the SDGs; Support the role of the United Nations in developing standards and legal frameworks on cyberspace, digital transformation and AI on the basis of consensus.
Build a dedicated program for digital innovation and digital entrepreneurship
In the field of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, IPU young parliamentarians call on and recommend that member parliaments: Strengthen the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, through building a legal framework for innovation and entrepreneurship, increasing the budget to support youth-led businesses, entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives; Promote the development of educational programs focusing on the necessary skills to prepare the next generation, prioritizing digital skills;
Overview of the thematic discussion session 2 within the framework of the Conference
Calls on the IPU to consider possible solutions within its existing mechanisms to engage on innovation and digital transformation issues; Promote a global network of young parliamentarians on digital transformation and innovation, within the framework of the Young Parliamentarians Forum, in close collaboration with the IPU Innovation Hub; Strengthen the relationship between the scientific community and parliaments;
Encourage start-up and innovation activities focusing on youth, students, especially women, strengthen gender mainstreaming in association with SDGs; build a separate program for digital innovation and digital start-up;
Promoting innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship in various fields, focusing on FoodTech, is a way to actively contribute to the implementation of the SDGs, address food security issues, and end hunger.
Parliament must ensure that the development and application of science and technology is carried out responsibly, ethically and sustainably.
In the field of culture, the IPU young parliamentarians 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, to ensure that the development and application of science and technology are carried out responsibly, ethically and sustainably;
Image at the 3rd thematic discussion session within the framework of the Conference
Contribute strongly to efforts to prevent online violence against women and girls, control hate speech and regulate AI so that women and girls are protected and new technologies are gender-biased; Strengthen data protection framework laws and other legal instruments, especially personal data, cyber threats;
Promote inclusiveness, intercultural dialogue and respect for cultural diversity and indigenous knowledge; Develop the role of culture as a driving force for sustainable development; commit to protecting and promoting cultural diversity, affirming the role of the creative economy and cultural industries; affirming the role of culture and cultural diversity in the process of resolving difficulties and challenges facing humanity today, especially the issue of climate change, preventing trafficking, illegal transportation and smuggling of cultural assets;
Promote respect for cultural diversity in the context of the 4th industrial revolution; strengthen cooperation in economic innovation, increase labor productivity, and create new drivers for economic growth. At the same time, help state agencies operate more transparently and effectively on the digitalization roadmap, in order to narrow the development gap and ensure national sovereignty as well as personal privacy in cyberspace, while ensuring national sovereignty.
Young IPU parliamentarians are ready to become companions carrying out the mission of harnessing the power of technology and innovation to serve the SDGs, in a responsible manner and leaving no one behind, especially future generations, on the basis of respecting the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law. Young parliamentarians will stand together to keep the promise in the 2015 Hanoi Declaration and respond to the urgent call of the 2030 Agenda./.
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