Lord Fakafanua is in Hanoi, Viet Nam to attend the Ninth IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians from 15 to 17 September. The theme of the conference is “The Role of Youth in Accelerating the achievement of the SDGs through digital transformation and innovation.” The attendees comprise of more than 300 young parliamentarians and delegates from over 70 IPU member parliaments including Tonga. In the opening remarks of the conference by Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue of the host parliament – the Vietnamese National Assembly called on young parliamentarians to focus their attention during the course of discussions on vital issues such as the promotion of compliance with and upholding of international law and the UN Charter.

As a member of the Board of the IPU Forum of Young Parliamentarians representing the Asia-Pacific geopolitical group, Lord Fakafanua chaired the first session of the plenary on the topic “Digital Transformation”, which focused on improving institutions and policies to promote digital transformation to enhance sustainable economic development opportunities.

Tonga’s Speaker also took the opportunity to meet with his counterpart in the Vietnamese National Assembly, Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, to affirm their aspirations for, and commitments to, close collaboration and sharing of knowledge, expertise and experiences between their respective national legislatures.