Ambassador highlights Vietnam’s active contribution to IPU and firm support for multilateralism
WVR - On the occasion of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s official trip to attend the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament and conduct bilateral activities in Switzerland, Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and other international organizations in Geneva (Switzerland), gives an interview to The World and Vietnam Report.
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| National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse before leaving Hanoi for their official visit to Senegal, Morocco and to attend the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Switzerland, July 22, 2025. (Source: quochoi.vn) |
Ambassador, could you please share the significance and message of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s trip to attend the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva, as well as his bilateral activities in Switzerland? What are your expectations for this important event?
The World Conference of Speakers of Parliament is one of the most important global parliamentary diplomacy forums. It is held every five years—a uniquely infrequent schedule—alongside the biannual General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
Uniquely, this conference is hosted alternately in only three major multilateral hubs in the world: New York (USA), Vienna (Austria), and Geneva (Switzerland), which are home to the key institutions of the United Nations and other leading global multilateral bodies.
While the IPU General Assembly serves as a regular parliamentary forum, the World Conference of Speakers of Parliament is considered the "summit" of inter-parliamentary diplomacy. It gathers the highest number of parliamentary leaders from all continents to discuss strategic policies and shape global parliamentary cooperation in response to major challenges of the era—from peace and security, sustainable development, to the promotion of human rights and equality.
Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s participation in the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva is a highly significant parliamentary diplomatic event. It provides an opportunity for Vietnam to continue contributing actively and responsibly to the work of the IPU and to enhance IPU–United Nations cooperation.
Participation at the highest level strongly demonstrates Vietnam’s commitment to multilateralism, especially in a time when the United Nations and multilateral mechanisms face numerous challenges. It also affirms the National Assembly of Vietnam’s responsibility in contributing to collective efforts to address global challenges.
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| Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and other international organizations in Geneva, Switzerland. (Source: Vietnamese Mission in Geneva) |
The trip is also an opportunity for Vietnam to reaffirm its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification, multilateralization, and deep international integration. Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s presence and speech at the conference’s general debate highlight the increasing role and position of the Vietnamese National Assembly on the international stage. It reflects the legislature’s responsibility in addressing global issues and conveys the message of a dynamic and proactive Vietnam that is ready to cooperate for peace, justice, and shared prosperity.
We hope this trip will help further strengthen the cooperative relations between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the parliaments of IPU member countries, and promote the Comprehensive Partnership between Vietnam and Switzerland. At the same time, this is also an opportunity for Vietnam to learn from other countries in legislative work and policy oversight, share experiences in national development, building a socialist rule-of-law state, and implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), thereby garnering international support for Vietnam’s development and integration priorities.
The theme of this year’s conference is: “A World in turmoil: Parliamentary cooperation and Multilateralism for Peace, Justice and Prosperity for All”. How do you assess the significance of this theme?
The theme of this year’s conference is very timely and relevant, especially in the context of profound and complex global changes. From geopolitical conflicts and climate change to non-traditional security challenges and a widening development gap—all these issues demand more comprehensive and effective cooperation among nations.
The theme highlights the role of parliaments in promoting multilateralism, dialogue, and cooperation to build a peaceful, just, and prosperous world for all—a common aspiration of people around the globe. This is also the vision and commitment that Vietnam has consistently pursued, with the guiding principle of being “proactive, active, and responsible” in all aspects of its foreign policy, especially parliamentary diplomacy.
What are the key agenda items of the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament? What contributions is Chairman Tran Thanh Man expected to make at this multilateral forum, Ambassador?
The conference has a comprehensive agenda with several important sessions. In addition to the plenary session on the main theme, there are five breakout sessions focusing on issues that are drawing considerable global attention: enhancing the participation of women and youth in parliaments; innovation to respond to global changes; the role of parliaments in shaping the digital future; protecting and promoting the rights of vulnerable groups; and international cooperation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Chairman Tran Thanh Man is expected to deliver a speech at the plenary session, emphasizing Vietnam’s contributions to promoting peace, sustainable development, and multilateral cooperation. The Vietnamese delegation will also participate in thematic discussions, especially those on promoting the participation of women and youth in parliaments, and international cooperation to achieve the SDGs by 2030. Additionally, the delegation will actively contribute to the Conference’s Joint Declaration, affirming Vietnam’s stance and perspectives on key international issues.
On the sidelines of the conference, Vietnam’s National Assembly leadership will also engage in bilateral meetings to enhance parliamentary relations with strategic partners, important partners, and traditional friends.
“While the IPU General Assembly is a regular forum, the World Conference of Speakers of Parliament is considered the ‘summit’ of inter-parliamentary diplomacy, as it brings together the largest number of parliamentary leaders from across all continents to discuss strategic policies and shape global parliamentary cooperation in response to major challenges of our time—from peace and security, sustainable development, to human rights and equality.”
(Ambassador Mai Phan Dung)
