Success of AIPA-41 helps raise national profile
VOV.VN - With the 41st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 41) being held online for the first time in its history, the event has ended in great success and has received acclaim from member parliaments.
Playing the role of host, National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, who is also the AIPA 41 President, made the statement during a press conference held following the closing ceremony September 10.
Due to the complicated nature of developments relating to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic the AIPA General Assembly was forced to be held in an online format in Hanoi from September 8 to September 10, the first time in the AIPA's 43-year history.
The event displays the strong determination and efforts of the Vietnamese NA in its role as the host country, along with that of AIPA member parliaments to overcome difficulties and reinforce solidarity and co-operation in the spirit of "cohesion and proactive adaptation".
NA Chairwoman Ngan attributed the AIPA 41 General Assembly’s success to thorough preparations made by the Vietnamese NA and other member countries, especially in terms of technical facilities that ensured the entire event ran smoothly.
Despite taking place online, the occasion draw the attendance of 30 member parliaments and international organisations, including approximately 400 delegates, of which 230 are NA deputies. Most notably, 11 NA chairs and 14 vice chairs from 10 ASEAN member states, including both the top presidents of the Senate and the House of Representatives of Thailand, were in attendance at the event.
Along with various member parliaments, 11 observers had registered to participate in the AIPA-41. The occasion thereby saw the participation of the Advisor to the United Nations Secretary-General, the IPU Secretary-General, the Secretary General of AIPA, the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN, the AIPA Secretariat, and four organisations that are partners of the AIPA.
Furthermore, the initiative proposed by the Vietnamese NA on the organisation of the Meeting of Young Parliamentarians of AIPA proved to be a popular suggestion among delegates. Indeed, it was considered a new factor in the general assembly meeting and can be viewed as an important historical milestone in the establishment of a conference mechanism for young parliamentarians of AIPA.
Participating countries consented to re-assign the AIPA Secretariat and the Parliamentary Secretariat to carry out necessary processes and procedures moving into next year, with the role to be included as an official operation of the AIPA General Assembly.
After three days of sitting, the AIPA 41 General Assembly can be considered successful as demonstrated by the relevant topics and rich content on show, all of which were relevant to contemporary society. This was especially true with regard to discussions on efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, and take economic recovery measures, along with the importance of strengthening peace, security, and co-operation in the region.
The event saw several delegations raise the issue of peace, security, and safety in the East Sea, adding that the area should be based on international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the East Sea (DOC). These laws should be followed in order to lead toward the early signing of a Code of Conduct for COC in the East Sea (COC).
Participants agreed on priorities for the AIPA and ASEAN moving forward, with future endeavours to focus on the spirit of citizens, whilst listening to the people, and concentrating on solving the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 epidemic in order to ensure that no one is left behind.
Moreover, AIPA 41 General Assembly ended in great success following the adoption of 26 joint resolutions and joint communiques.
“Along with the success of Vietnam's external relations activities in 2020 in its roles of ASEAN Chair, Chair of AIPA, and non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, the success of the 41 AIPA General Assembly has contributed to elevating Vietnam’s standing and prestige of Vietnam in the international arena," the top Vietnamese legislator said.
Activities during the year of AIPA Chair 2020, especially with regard to the AIPA 41 General Assembly, are also an important highlight in the external activities of the 14th National Assembly of Vietnam.
