Excellencies President and Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU),

Distinguished delegates and guests,

On behalf of the State and people of Viet Nam, I would like to extend my warmest welcome to all distinguished delegates and guests to the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians co-organized by the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the IPU in the capital city of Hanoi - the City for Peace, the city of hospitality, and the embodiment of the Vietnamese culture.

It deeply heartens me to learn that the Forum of Young Parliamentarians, through eight Global Conferences, has grown by leaps and bounds and lived up to its mission of promoting the participation of the youth in parliaments, supporting young parliamentarians in making the most of their role, and ensuring that the voice of the youth is heard in global decision-making processes. Such efforts are meaningful contributors to addressing international challenges.

May the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians be a great success, with the adoption of the Statement on the role of the youth in accelerating the achievement of SDGs via

digital transformation and innovation.

Distinguished delegates,

"The youth constitute the spring of society", and they are capable of "moving mountains and seas". They have tremendous advantages in harnessing opportunities, particularly those brought about by the 4th Industrial Revolution. They provide the key to open new doors, and offer new mindsets and measures to effectively tackle current and future challenges around the world.

I commend the theme "The role of the youth in accelerating the achievement of SDGs via digital transformation and innovation" of this Conference, as it reflects our common interest in the means to utilize the remarkable accomplishments provided by science, technology, and innovation, as well as to bolster international cooperation and connectivity to further expedite the implementation of the SDGs. These endeavors are also conducive to enhancing the participation of the youth in addressing global issues and contributing to peace and prosperity for all countries.

Distinguished delegates,

In this new phase, Viet Nam will continue to uphold the consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralization of external relations for peace, friendship, cooperation, and development, on the basis of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law. I am confident that the National Assembly of Viet Nam will continue to work closely with parliaments in other countries to translate the recommendations and resolutions of the IPU and the Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians into concrete actions, thereby making substantive and effective contributions to peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region and the world.

I do hope that each young parliamentarian will be a dynamic and creative Ambassador in

the efforts to forge stronger bonds of friendship and strengthen the connections among parliaments and peoples, for a better world for all.

I wish all distinguished delegates good health, and I do hope that you will enjoy this opportunity to experience and better understand the country, culture, and people of Viet Nam.

Thank you.