2nd LD-Writethru: IPU-132 concludes with Hanoi Declaration adopted

The 132nd Assembly of the Inter- Parliamentary Union (IPU-132) and related meetings concluded Wednesday afternoon in Vietnam's capital Hanoi with the adoption of Hanoi Declaration.

The document, themed "the Sustainable Development Goals: Turning Words into Action", is adopted by parliamentarians from 133 countries and 23 international regional parliamentary organizations after reviewing the emerging sustainable development goals and considering the parliamentarians' role in attaining them, reads the Hanoi Declaration, which will be submitted as an official document to the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015.

The Hanoi Declaration states that despite global advances in technology, health, knowledge, and material health, long-standing economic, and social disparities are increasing, to the detriment of the whole planet, with progress continuing to elude many the world over.

This situation -- exacerbated by the urgent threat of climate change and growing waves of social unrest, political instability, and conflict within or between countries -- is coming to a head. With the Millennium Development Goals, international commitments can only be meet with strong political will, leadership and national ownership.

The adoption of the new post-2015 development agenda and its sustainable development goals in September, 2015 will afford a unique opportunity to meet global challenges, using a universal, integrated approach that will apply to all countries and link poverty eradication to sustainable development, the declaration states.

Saber Chowdhury, President of IPU said at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the closing session that expectations in terms of content have been met in the 132nd IPU Assembly.

Highlighting the IPU's new approach, Chowdhury said the 132nd IPU Assembly focused on solution for issue rather than defining it.

"With each resolution adopted, we, as representatives of the people, wish to transform lives of people worldwide," said Chowdhury.

The five-day event included 67 sessions, discussing major issues on cyber warfare, gender equality, sustainable development, combating threat of terrorism, and water governance among others.

The IPU-132 also adopted a number of resolutions, including " Cyber warfare: A serious threat to peace and global security", " Shaping a new system of water governance: Promoting parliamentary action on water", "International law as it relates to national sovereignty, non-intervention in the international affairs of States and human rights".

During the event, parliamentarians also discussed and adopted a resolution on emergency item regarding "combating threat of terrorism conducted by organizations such as Boko Haram against innocent civilians, in particular women and girls".

The IPU-132 was held in Vietnam's capital Hanoi from last Saturday to Wednesday under the theme "Sustainable development goals: Turning words into action". Endi