Opening of the 9th session of the 14th National Assembly: Special session, marking the renewal

On the morning of May 20, the 14th National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam solemnly opened its 9th session at the National Assembly House, Hanoi. Attending the opening session was Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong - General Secretary and President.

Opening of the 9th session of the 14th National Assembly. Photo: VNA

The 9th session will be a special session, marking innovation, solidarity, determination, creating motivation for our country and people to overcome difficulties, to continue moving forward, according to the National Assembly Chairman. This is the first time the meeting will be held online, the Dien Hong Room of the National Assembly House will have only about 170 delegates working in Hanoi attending the meeting, local delegates will attend at 63 connecting points.

Together

Speaking at the opening of the session, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan emphasized: In the past time, although we had to focus on fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, while promoting economic recovery and social stability, relevant agencies and organizations have actively and urgently made the greatest efforts in preparing for the session opening today.

That demonstrates the spirit of solidarity, high determination, unity and consensus of the National Assembly, the Government, relevant agencies and organizations, delegations of National Assembly deputies, and National Assembly deputies. In particular, the innovation in the organization of sessions shows that the National Assembly is always proactive and quick to adapt to conditions, circumstances and practical requirements, for the benefit of the People and the country.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan delivers the opening speech at the 9th session of the 14th National Assembly. Photo: Quochoi.vn

Entering 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic broke out and quickly became a pandemic, negatively affecting all economic and social activities globally and in Vietnam. The epidemic has caused production and business activities to stagnate, trade and investment to be interrupted; social activities, especially health care, education, tourism, culture, ... and people's lives have also been affected.

Along with that, our country is also heavily affected by climate change, the situation of natural disasters is extreme and unusual, causing great damage in many areas of the country, such as: drought, saltwater intrusion, hail, etc.

Faced with such difficulties and challenges, under the leadership of the Party, the National Assembly and the Government, the Government promptly issued many resolutions, conclusions, directives and directions to all levels and sectors from central to local levels to focus on disease prevention and control and deploy many solutions to support economic development and ensure social security.

Up to now, we have initially controlled the epidemic, prevented the spread in the community, and ensured the safety of people's lives and health.

Delegates attending at Nghe An bridge point. Photo: Thanh Le

Amid the pandemic and sharp decline in the global economy, many countries have negative growth, the country's GDP growth rate in the first quarter of 2020 reached about 3.82%; social security and people's lives are still guaranteed; national security, defense, and social order and safety are maintained.

Vietnam continues to perform well its role as ASEAN Chair, AIPA Chair and non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, contributing to enhancing our country's position in the international arena...

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan acknowledged and highly appreciated the spirit of not fearing difficulties, hardships and sacrifices of medical staff, soldiers, public security officers and functional forces on the front line of epidemic prevention and control; and the support, compliance and sharing of all classes of people in implementing epidemic prevention and control measures.

This initial victory is the result of the spirit, high determination, unity in action and will to rise of the entire political system; demonstrating the strength of solidarity, patriotic tradition, the superiority of the regime and the spirit of mutual love and affection of the nation, firmly consolidating the people's trust in the Party and the State. The National Assembly Chairman expressed his belief that this spirit will continue to spread and be effectively promoted when the National Assembly considers and decides on the contents of the session.

“Despite many difficulties in the past time, the National Assembly, National Assembly agencies, National Assembly delegations and National Assembly deputies have proactively and flexibly adjusted their working methods, making efforts to promote their role and responsibility to the people.

The online meeting format is a new feature, demonstrating flexibility, taking full advantage of the application of achievements of modern science and technology in the activities of the National Assembly, while still ensuring the maintenance of a democratic and public atmosphere of the National Assembly session in accordance with the provisions of law, the National Assembly Chairman affirmed.

Many important contents

At this session, the National Assembly also reviewed and decided on the National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas for the 2021-2030 period, proposing solutions to promote the potential and advantages of the region and the spirit of self-reliance of ethnic minorities to develop the socio-economy in ethnic minority and mountainous areas more strongly, comprehensively and sustainably.

Second, the National Assembly will consider and pass 10 draft laws, many draft resolutions and give opinions on 6 other draft laws to promptly institutionalize the Party's policies and guidelines, and the provisions of the Constitution, contributing to the innovation, arrangement and consolidation of the National Assembly's organizational apparatus; and improving the effectiveness of the work of building and promulgating legal documents.

The National Assembly considered and approved three international treaties including the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), the Vietnam - EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and joining Convention No. 105 of the International Labor Organization (ILO) on the abolition of forced labor.

Third, the National Assembly will conduct thematic supervision on “the implementation of policies and laws on child abuse prevention and control”; review reports synthesizing opinions and recommendations of voters and people sent to the 9th session and the results of supervision of the settlement of voters' recommendations sent to the 8th session of the 14th National Assembly; establish the National Election Council and review a number of other important contents.

At the opening session, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc presented a report on the prevention and control of the Covid-19 pandemic and key tasks and solutions for socio-economic recovery and development; Chairman of the National Assembly's Economic Committee Vu Hong Thanh presented a report on the additional assessment of the implementation results of the National Assembly's Resolution on the socio-economic development plan and state budget in 2019, and the implementation situation in the first months of 2020.

Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Tran Thanh Man presented a report synthesizing opinions and recommendations of voters and people sent to the 9th session of the 14th National Assembly.

Member of the National Assembly Standing Committee, Head of the National Assembly Standing Committee's Petition Committee Nguyen Thanh Hai presented a report on the results of supervising the settlement of voters' petitions sent to the 8th Session of the 14th National Assembly.

At the opening session, the National Assembly listened to Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh present the President's proposal to the National Assembly to ratify the Free Trade Agreement between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the European Union (EVFTA).

Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh presented the Explanatory Report on the Free Trade Agreement between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the European Union. Chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee Nguyen Van Giau presented the Verification Report on the ratification of this Agreement.

Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh presented the President's proposal to the National Assembly to ratify the Investment Protection Agreement between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on the one hand and the European Union and its member countries on the other hand (EVIPA).

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung presented the Report explaining the Investment Protection Agreement between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on one side and the European Union and its member countries on the other side.

Chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee Nguyen Van Giau presented the Verification Report on the ratification of this Agreement.

Scene at Nghe An bridge. Photo: Thanh Le

At this session, in the context that the entire political system, especially the Government, ministries and branches are focusing on epidemic prevention and control, and restoring production and business, instead of directly questioning at the plenary session as usual, delegates will send written questions to Government members and branch leaders about issues of concern to voters.