NA Chairman attends 44th AIPA General Assembly’s opening ceremony
VOV.VN - National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue led a Vietnamese NA delegation on August 7 to attend the opening ceremony of the 44th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-44) with the theme of "The Parliament is proactive in adapting for a stable and prosperous ASEAN".
As many as 568 delegates, including parliament heads of nine ASEAN member states and representatives from 17 observers and guest countries together with nine international organisations, attended the event.
Upon addressing the occasion, Speaker of Indonesia's House of Representatives (DPR RI) Puan Maharani highlighted AIPA-44 as an opportunity for the various parliaments of Southeast Asian countries to strengthen their commitment to respond to global and regional challenges and issues.
She said that AIPA will work specifically for the aspirations of citizens for a safe, peaceful, prosperous, healthy, civilised, and friendly life, whilst simultaneously finding common points for commitments despite differences among member countries.
Emphasising that stability is a prerequisite for economic development and growth in Southeast Asia, contributing to global economic stability and growth, the chair of AIPA 43 pledged that AIPA will continue to promote necessary commitments which seek to maintain and ensure a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Southeast Asia.
AIPA-44 highlights the adaptability of ASEAN parliaments amid regional and international fluctuations, with an emphasis placed on dialogue and consultation and strengthened co-ordination between legislative and executive channels, thereby contributing to strengthening solidarity and centrality of ASEAN.
The occasion is set to run to August 11, with AIPA-44 discussing important issues, including the need to reduce geopolitical tensions due to competition between major powers in Southeast Asia; the Myanmar situation; efforts to develop a green economy, renewable energy in Southeast Asia to help deal with the climate crisis; and the promotion of a stronger participation of young people in political forums, including parliaments.
AIPA-44 is also viewed as a forum in which ASEAN parliamentarians an share experience and views in order to build a better future for the region. It is therefore expected to adopt a joint communiqué, thereby demonstrating the parliaments' strong commitment to be part of the solution to the immediate crises.
The same day saw Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Puan Maharani receive heads of delegations to the AIPA-44.
Speaker Puan stressed that AIPA-44 is important for AIPA in dealing with common challenges towards building proactive and adaptive parliaments for a stable and prosperous ASEAN region.
She expressed hope that the delegates will made concrete, practical, useful contributions on the principle of consensus.
The heads of the delegations highly appreciated the topic of the AIPA-44 General Assembly, agreeing that now is a crucial time to strengthen ties in ASEAN and AIPA.
In his message welcoming the AIPA-44 General Assembly, Indonesian President Joko Widodo affirmed his nation’s commitment in its capacity as the ASEAN Chair for 2023 to bring the regional bloc into the centre of growth, while emphasisng the important role and contribution of the AIPA to supporting this commitment.
In this current context, ASEAN must co-ordinate with AIPA and its member parliaments in a bid to maintain solidarity and unity, strengthen close ties, and build mutual trust towards becoming the driving force behind efforts to maintain peace and stability throughout the region.
Only in this way will the bloc develop strongly, promote its central role and strategic values, make more practical contributions to regional peace and stability, and bring a prosperous life to its people and member states, he said.
NA Chairman Hue greatly appreciated Indonesia's preparation for the organisation of the AIPA-44, noting his approval of the meeting's topic and its specific agenda.
The occasion saw NA Chairman Hue thank the Indonesian House of Representatives and Speaker Puan for their welcome for him and the Vietnamese NA’s high-ranking delegation not only within the framework of the AIPA-44 but also during his first official visit to Indonesia.
Moreover, President Vo Van Thuong sent a message to the AIPA-44 General Assembly to welcome the strong development and practical contribution of AIPA to the process of building a united ASEAN Community, thereby bringing many practical benefits to countries and their respective citizens.
He highly appreciated AIPA and member parliaments for always accompanying and encouraging the efforts of regional governments to overcome many turbulence and challenges in order to become a united and strong organisation which has an increasing role, image, and position in the region and in the international arena.
Applauding the theme of the AIPA-44 General Assembly, the Vietnamese State leader expressed hopes that AIPA would continue to support ASEAN’s success in stepping up multilateral ties, the rule of law, making positive contributions to peace, stability, and prosperity of the region and the world.
He also affirmed the country’s full commitment to continue to participate in all forums in a proactive, effective, and responsible manner and expressed his belief that the AIPA-44 General Assembly would be a great success.