Speaking with Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Mexico on the occasion of Vietnam’s election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils for the 2026–2031 tenure, Pimentel, who is also President of the Mexico - Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group, said the new representatives will help further strengthen the legislature’s role in policymaking and national development orientation.

According to Pimentel, amid increasingly complex and rapidly evolving geopolitical dynamics, legislatures must build legal frameworks that safeguard national sovereignty while adapting to global integration. Laws should protect national resources and economic interests while ensuring that the benefits of integration are fairly distributed and bring tangible gains to labourers and society.

She also emphasised the importance of developing legal frameworks aligned with advances in science and technology so that innovation becomes a driver of inclusive growth rather than a source of social disparity. This includes protecting labourers’ rights in the face of automation and recognising internet access as a fundamental right for all citizens.

At the same time, parliaments should continue modernising their operations, promoting open parliament models and expanding public participation in lawmaking to ensure legislative decisions reflect social realities more closely.

Pimentel stressed that increasing women’s participation in political life is crucial to improving legislative quality and ensuring broader social representation. She commended the role of Vietnam’s National Assembly over the past eight decades, noting that it has played a key role in institutionalising development strategies, improving the legal system and overseeing policy implementation to maintain political stability and advance socio-economic development.

Sharing Mexico’s experience, she noted that the Latin American country is among those achieving high levels of gender balance in political representation, adding that expanding women’s participation in legislatures helps enhance inclusiveness and policy responsiveness.

Regarding parliamentary diplomacy, Pimentel affirmed that the Mexico - Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group stands ready to welcome Vietnamese lawmakers of the new tenure and hopes to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas such as economy, education, healthcare and culture.

She also highlighted the role of parliamentary friendship groups as bridges connecting countries, particularly developing nations, and stressed that parliamentary diplomacy should focus on practical goals such as social development, welfare improvement and better living standards.

Greater exchanges and experience-sharing among legislatures, she said, will help craft more effective policies, deepen Vietnam–Mexico friendship and contribute to sustainable development objectives.

NA Standing Committee reviews preparations for first session of 16th legislature

The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on March 2 continued its 55th session, giving opinions for the second time on preparations for the first sitting of the 16th-tenure legislature, slated for April.