The agreement was announced after they held their two-day discussion on the role of female parliamentarians in law making ending in Hanoi on December 1 with resolve to promote their role in the lawmaking process.

The ASEAN legislators acknowledged that gender equality is one of the most advanced objectives being pursued by many countries in the world as well as AIPA member states. 

They also agreed to submit to the 31^st AIPA general assembly meeting some other recommendations, including integration of gender issues into its working agenda and the establishment of a group of experts on gender issues. 

Later the same day, the guest legislators were received by Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh. 

The head of their delegation briefed the Secretary General on the results of the meeting as well as on challenges facing female parliamentarians when it comes to making decisions, especially those of great political importance, as well measures to promote the role of women in family and society.

Secretary General Manh said the Vietnam’s National Assembly’s hosting of the meeting displays Vietnam’s commitment, in its position as AIPA president, to engage more actively in improving relations between the national assemblies of member countries.

Mr Manh underlined that the Party and State of Vietnam seek to facilitate the improvement of the role of women, especially female parliamentarians, in state governance and socio-economic management.

During the meeting, he briefed the guest legislators on the current situation in Vietnam and reiterated the wish to expand the friendship and cooperation between the Vietnam National Assembly and the legislative bodies of other nations. He said Vietnam wants to befriend and become a reliable partner with other countries to make a contribution to the joint world effort for peace, national independence, democracy and social progress.