Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam proposed perfectingnational and international legal systems to create a legal corridor to promotegender equality at a plenary session of the 145th Assembly of theInter-Parliamentary Union (IPU 145).

The Vietnamese delegation to the IPU 145 and related meetings,from October 12-15, was headed by Vu Hai Ha, Chairman of the National Assembly’sCommittee for Foreign Affairs.

At the plenary session, Ha also suggested raisingwomen’s voice and participation in legislative and executive agencies, as wellas in policy making and enforcement.

He highlighted cooperation between the IPU and itsmember parliaments and United Nations organisations and international forums onwomen to better ensure their rights.

Ha noted that Vietnam attaches importance to genderequality and women’s progress, briefing the participants on the Vietnamese legislature’sefforts in protecting and promoting gender equality, and women’s empowerment.

Speaking at a discussion on the Russia-Ukraineconflict, the Vietnamese delegation affirmed that Vietnam keeps a close watchon and has special concern over recent developments in Ukraine, stressing theneed to observe the UN Charter and basic principles of international law, especiallythose on respecting independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries,non-intervention in each other's internal affairs, neither use of force northreat to use force in international relations.

Vietnam also called for an end to the conflict soon aswell as efforts to restore peace, ensure security and safety of civilians andessential infrastructure facilities, and persistently promote dialogues andnegotiations to seek a peaceful, long-term and comprehensive solution inaccordance with international law and the UN Charter, with legitimate interests and concerns of relevant sides taken into consideration.

The country also proposed the IPU and its memberparliaments actively cooperate for these objectives.

Apart from the plenary session, the Vietnamesedelegation also attended sessions of the Committees on Peace and InternationalSecurity, Sustainable Development, and Democracy and Human Rights, the Forum ofWomen Parliamentarians, and the Association of Secretaries General ofParliaments.

They met with the IPU President, the IPU Secretary General,the Speaker of Deputies of Rwanda and the Speaker of the Indonesian House ofRepresentatives, among others to discuss ways to boost bilateral ties andexchange views on issues of shared concern.

They had meetings with representatives of the IPUWorking Group on Science and Technology, the Working Group on SustainableDevelopment and the UN Committee on the Rights of Children./.