Rwanda’s development agenda has been essentially driven by determination and discipline, Senate vice-president has said.

Jean d’Arc Gakuba was speaking at the ongoing 123rd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) assembly that got underway on Sunday in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi.

According to a statement, discussions will centre on sustainable development beyond 2015.

Rwanda was among 10 countries worldwide that were selected to pilot two of the 17 thematic areas of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Held under the theme; "Sustainable Development Goals: Turning Words into Action”, Gakuba spoke about Rwanda’s development path and the achievements made in several sectors under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

"In Rwanda, we have learned that development can be achieved through good leadership that cherishes discipline and determination,” she told the IPU assembly.

Rwanda is currently ranked first among 48 African countries that have registered substantial progress toward meeting MDG targets.

Gakuba, who was accompanied by MP Edouard Bamporiki and Senate secretary general Sosthene Cyitatire, said that Rwanda has particularly attached great importance to state sovereignty in decision-making to deliver the MDGs.

"This is not an accident. Rwanda has chosen to invest in its people, and built accountable delivery systems to do so, within the framework of decentralised and inclusive institutions. The achievements of Rwanda have been enabled by sustained commitment and pragmatism of the current leadership,” Gakuba added.

Speaking at the same event, the Deputy Chairperson of the National Assembly of Vietnam, Tong Thi Phong, said that despite the achievements made, many MDGs were left unfulfilled with the existence of hunger and gender inequality in some countries.

Phong said it requires joint efforts among nations, international organisations and individuals around the world, to achieve sustainable development.

Phong urged parliaments in member countries to consider sustainable development, promoting economic growth, environmental protection and social equality in equal measure.

The general debate of IPU-132 that drew over 1,300 delegates is expected to end today.

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