At the session, participants heard introductory remarks by MP of Ireland, Chairperson of the IPU Working Group on Science and Technology Denis Naughten; Sky Mavis Founder and CEO Nguyen Thanh Trung; HICOOL Manager Tingyu Yuan; Specialist of the Civil Society and Youth, Governance and Peace Building Team from the UN Development Program (UNDP) Beniam Gebrezghi.

In his introductory remarks, MP of Ireland, Chairperson of the IPU Working Group on Science and Technology Denis Naughten said Ireland has a "green school" initiative which encourages students to become global citizens. The curricula are directly linked to areas of social and family life. The concept of "startup" is included in the curriculum for students aged 10-12 with a separate startup education program. According to Denis Naughten, this is very important because children at this age are highly curious and eager to learn. Introducing the concept of "startup" into the curriculum for children of this age group helps them be equipped with the necessary knowledge about career orientation, grasp the entrepreneurial spirit and how a startup operates, and have the necessary eagerness for innovative startup. Ireland also organizes a competition for students with breakthrough ideas on innovative startup. In addition to encouraging entrepreneurship through the curricula, Ireland establishes a network of innovative startups and has mechanisms to support new technology initiatives.

The Irish parliamentarian emphasized that as not everyone has equal access to science and technology, a group of young parliamentarians in Ireland launched an initiative to promote technology access called "coupons for innovation". This program supports companies in researching business solutions in the fields of technology and innovation. Denis Naughten also stressed that to encourage innovation, it is necessary to have appropriate support and investment mechanisms.

Sharing the difficulties faced by companies operating in the field of innovative startups, founder and CEO of Sky Mavis Nguyen Thanh Trung said that not only Vietnam but also the world has not issued a full range of institutions and policies related to new technology. "Digital transformation today is no longer a choice but a necessity. It will be a long process with many challenges, forcing governments, businesses and consumers to change to adapt. Facing this great opportunity, each individual and organization need to get out of their safe zone, refresh themselves and compete in a new normal state led by advanced technologies," Nguyen Thanh Trung said.

According to the Sky Mavis founder and CEO, initial support plays a huge role in a startup's success. Therefore, technology businesses need a clear legal corridor to guide their development.

Specialist of the Civil Society and Youth, Governance and Peace Building Team from the UN Development Program (UNDP) Beniam Gebrezghi stated that UNDP is implementing a startup program for youth in the Asia-Pacific region with more than 200 partners. Despite many initiatives, there is no regional channel to gather innovation and start-up "incubators" for young people. Therefore, Beniam Gebrezghi said that this forum is a favorable opportunity for young parliamentarians to focus on discussing the leadership role of youth and measures to encourage youth to engage in startups and innovation.

A network to support innovation and startups needed

After the introductory remarks, participants exchanged experience in each country in perfecting institutions and policies in promoting innovation and startups (including for youth) as a driving force for inclusive and sustainable development; shared the experience of parliaments in legislation and supervision, and the role of young parliamentarians to promote innovation and startups; discussed the development of artificial intelligence (AI) that helps accelerate the process of achieving the SDGs; proposed to parliaments policies and solutions on building and perfecting institutions and policies to minimize AI-related risks.

Speaking at the session on the role of the parliaments in promoting innovation and startups, full-time member of the Vietnamese National Assembly's Social Affairs Committee Pham Trong Nghia said developing innovation and startups in Vietnam started in 2016. Vietnam has issued many guidelines and policies to encourage innovation and startups, attract and effectively utilize investment resources for science, technology and innovation. The National Assembly of Vietnam has promulgated, amended and supplemented many laws such as the Law on Technology Transfer, the Law on Support for Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises, the Law on Investment, the Law on Intellectual Property... The Prime Minister issued the National Program on "Supporting the National Innovation Initiative to 2025".

"We pay special heed to developing a modern, innovative, and creative agriculture, aiming to become one of the high quality food hubs," Pham Trong Nghia said.

He also said that the innovative startup ecosystem in the field of agricultural and food technology in Vietnam is following the world trend with many solutions and innovative businesses, especially in exploiting indigenous resources, improving the value of agricultural products, and creating new products and services. In addition, large corporations in Vietnam are paying much attention to meeting Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards and engaging more deeply in innovation and startup activities for sustainable development.

The representative of the Vietnamese National Assembly said that young parliamentarians who represent the legislative bodies around the world need to join hands to promote innovation and startups globally. Nghia proposed that IPU members consider establishing a global network of young parliamentarians on innovation to accompany governments in perfecting the legal corridor and delivering better support for sustainable development through innovation./.