ISC-2: Vietnam calls for stronger parliamentary diplomacy

At the general debate on August 27, Vietnamese National Assembly Vice President Nguyen Thi Thanh said parliamentary diplomacy is playing an increasingly important role in promoting dialogue, building trust and seeking peaceful solutions to common global issues.

Against this backdrop, Vietnam put forward three major directions. First, Thanh called for a stronger parliamentary voice in promoting respect for the UN Charter, international law and multilateralism, while encouraging the peaceful settlement of disputes.

With their legislative, oversight and representative functions, parliaments can make practical contributions to upholding common principles, strengthening dialogue and building trust among countries.

Second, she proposed that parliamentary diplomacy play a greater role in preventing, resolving and rebuilding after conflicts through dialogue, confidence-building and reconciliation.

Such an approach would not only help prevent and end conflicts but also create conditions for countries and communities to overcome their consequences, recover and build a stable foundation for long-term development, she stressed.

Third, the Vietnamese legislator also proposed linking peace consolidation with sustainable development and responses to emerging global challenges, including promoting the signing and ratification of the Hanoi Convention on Cybercrime.

The proposal broadens the scope of parliamentary cooperation from peace and traditional security issues to challenges arising from digital transformation, with cybercrime increasingly becoming a cross-border problem requiring international coordination.

Thanh affirmed that Vietnam’s foreign policy is based on peace, independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification, stressing that the Vietnamese National Assembly is committed to promoting dialogue, cooperation and common frameworks to address global challenges.

Parliamentary diplomacy, she said, can serve not only as a channel for exchanges between legislatures but also as a bridge for building consensus, strengthening trust and helping countries address shared challenges.

Parliamentary channels expand bilateral cooperation

In a message to the conference, Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni shared Cambodia’s experience in overcoming war and division, promoting national reconciliation, and building peace and development. He emphasised that peace must be nurtured through trust, reconciliation and dialogue.

In his opening remarks, President of the Cambodian Senate Hun Sen highlighted changes in the international situation, competition among centres of power, and the growing use of trade, technology, resources and supply chains as tools of competition, along with the challenges facing small and developing countries. He called on parliaments to play a more proactive role in responding to these challenges.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet also stressed that peace is a prerequisite for development. He underscored the importance of strengthening national resilience, promoting inclusive development and ensuring that the benefits of development deliver tangible improvements to people’s lives.

On the sidelines of the ISC-2, Vietnamese National Assembly Vice President Nguyen Thi Thanh held meetings with Acting President of the Lao National Assembly Sounthone Xayachack and Second Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana Andrew Asiamah Amoako.

With Laos, the two sides agreed to continue implementing the cooperation agreement between their National Assemblies for 2022-2027 and coordinate oversight of high-level agreements and major economic cooperation projects.

They also agreed to facilitate cooperation between businesses and localities, aiming to raise annual bilateral trade to US$10 billion in the near future.

With Ghana, the two sides discussed the expansion of cooperation in agriculture, textiles and other areas, while considering more delegation exchanges, parliamentary contacts and the sharing of legislative and oversight experience.

At the conference, Cambodian leaders also emphasized the importance of peace, dialogue, reconciliation and international cooperation in maintaining stability and promoting development.

The ISC-2 conference is taking place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from August 26 - 28, bringing together representatives from 21 national parliaments under the theme “Solidarity for Peace and Shared Prosperity: Strengthening International Law and Resolving Conflicts Peacefully.”