IPU Governing Council’s second sitting day focuses on union’s future agenda
The second working day of the 207th session of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Governing Council in the form of videoconference on May 25 (Hanoi time) focused on a financial report, budget estimate and the union’s agenda in the future as well as a report on the implementation and review of the IPU Strategy in the 2016-2021 period.
IPU Secretary-General Martin Chungong (Source: IPU)
Hanoi (VNA) – The second working day of the 207thsession of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Governing Council in the form ofvideoconference on May 25 (Hanoi time) focused on a financial report, budgetestimate and the union’s agenda in the future as well as a report on theimplementation and review of the IPU Strategy in the 2016-2021 period.
The session, chaired by IPU President Duarte Pacheco,drew the attendance of IPU Secretary-General Martin Chungong and representatives of 179member parliaments and 13 regional parliamentary organisations.
During the two-day session, participants discussed and madedecisions on issues related to the operation of the world’s largestparliamentary cooperation organisation.
The Vietnamese delegation, led by StandingVice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man, showed its active participation at the event as aresponsible IPU member.
Opening the second sitting day, participants adopted theaddition of personnel to IPU agencies, including one to the IPU GoverningCouncil - Ali Rashed Al Noaymi from the UAE, six to the IPU Committee on HumanRights of MPs, and two to the Committee on Middle East Questions, while fillingvacancies in other IPU agencies.
The IPU Governing Council approved a report on financialissues of the union in 2020 and spending in the coming time, which focuses onactivities towards the goal of sustainable development, gender equality andpost-COVID-19 recovery.
The council passed a report delivered by Secretary-GeneralMartin Chungong on the union’s future agenda, holding that the futureactivities will much depend on developments of COVID-19 and countries'responding capacity.
After reviewing the implementation of the IPU Strategy inthe 2016-2021 period, participants discussed a strategy for the next fiveyears, which is expected to be adopted a the 143rd IPU Assembly inNovember this year.
The IPU Governing Council also decided to launch the IPU Cremer-PassyAward, aiming to honour parliamentarians and parliamentarians’ groups withoutstanding contributions to the protection and promotion of the IPU goals for aworld of unity, equality, security and sustainability.
As scheduled, after completing the two-day session of the IPUGoverning Council, the 142nd Assembly of the IPU will be held in theonline format./.
A Vietnamese delegation, headed by Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee for External Relations Nguyen Van Giau, is attending a virtual meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)'s Governing Council from November 1-4.
A Vietnamese National Assembly delegation led by Vice Chairman of the NA's Economic Committee Duong Quoc Anh attended a virtual meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)’s Standing Committee on Sustainable Development on May 18.
Standing member of the National Assembly (NA) Committee for Social Affairs Le Thi Nguyet and standing member of the NA Committee for External Relations Le Thu Ha attended a virtual meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)’s Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights on May 18.
A delegation of the National Assembly (NA) led by Standing Vice Chairman Tran Thanh Man attended the opening of the 207th session of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Governing Council via videoconference on May 24.
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
IPU Secretary-General Martin Chungong (Source: IPU) 
