Hoi An, 30 August 2010 – The two-day conference “12th National Assembly (NA): Essential Reforms for Development,” began in Hoi An City today. The conference is co-chaired by Mr. Nguyen Duc Kien, Vice President of the National Assembly of Viet Nam and Mr. John Hendra, United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Viet Nam, with the participation of representatives from NA’s agencies, diplomatic missions, the international community and related Government agencies.

Through plenary sessions, participants will have a chance to listen to different presentations on parliamentary reforms in respect to the main functions of the National Assembly (legislative, oversight, representation functions and the function of making decisions on issues of national importace). In addition, open discussions in these sessions will also stimulate the exchange of information, views and lessons learnt among leaders of different NA’s agencies and international experts.

“As the 12th Legislature is coming to the end of the term, we are now conducting review activities in preparation for the 13th Legislature, expected to be elected in May 2011,” said Mr Nguyen Duc Kien. “We believe this conference is a great opportunity to share with the international community the recent reforms of the National Assembly as well as the challenges we are facing and future plans for further reforms.”

The conference promotes dialogues between the National Assembly, the Office of the National Assembly and the international community on a strategic approach to support institutional reform. During the conference, national participants will also learn from international experts best practices in parliamentary reforms.

Mr John Hendra commended positive changes in the institution’s development during the 12th legislature, especially the increased degree of professionalism of members of the parliament and the NA’s assertiveness on matters of national interest. “Indeed, I think it is fair to say that the role of the National Assembly has been considerably strengthened as part of Viet Nam’s reform process, and the Assembly is evolving into a more powerful and relevant institution within the political system than it was in years past,” Mr Hendra noted.

The conference is co-organized by the Office of National Assembly and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) within the framework of the Project “Strengthening Capacities of Representative Bodies in Viet Nam” in cooperation with the Inter-Parliamentary Union. This Conference follows previous conferences held in 2002 and 2007.

For further information please contact:
Ms. Pham Thi Bich Ngoc
ONA-UNDP Project   
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Ms. Bui Phuong Tra – UNDP   
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Ms. Nguyen Viet Lan
One UN Communications  Team 
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Tel: +84 4 38224 383, ext. 121