Vietnam attends 12th AIPA Caucus
VOV.VN - Vu Hai Ha, chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee, led a delegation to attend the 12th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Caucus 12, which was held online on June 16 with a specific focus on measures to promote supply chain resilience and trade connectivity.
Tan Chuan-Jin, speaker of the Parliament of Singapore, the host country of the event, said that the 12th AIPA Caucus saw the discussion of the implementation of resolutions of the 41st AIPA General Assembly. This includes the Resolution on “the role of parliaments in promoting ASEAN cohesiveness and economic recovery post-COVID-19”, the Resolution on “Advancing AIPA's role in supporting ASEAN socio-cultural community in responding to COVID-19”, and the Resolution on “the role of women parliamentarians in securing jobs and income for women workers”.
The Vietnamese delegation said that amidst the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, ASEAN should pay closer attention to restoring supply chains and promoting trade connectivity. This should be done by ramping up co-operation with partners in order prevent the spread of the disease, especially cross-border transmission, along with accelerating COVID-19 vaccine purchase and vaccination schemes, as well as co-operation in vaccine research and development.
The delegation used the platform to put forward six specific recommendations to AIPA member parliaments, many of which relate to crucial issues such as completing legal frameworks to facilitate trade and investment activities and ensuring the uninterrupted circulation of goods and supply chains in the region.
Vietnamese representatives therefore underscored the need to intensify parliamentary supervision over the implementation of commitments relating to investment and trade within regional and international frameworks.
This should be done whilst simultaneously establishing new methods in promoting bilateral trade ties, maintaining commitments to opening markets in order to enhance the resilience and sustainability of regional supply chains. In addition, speeding up the application of digital technology in production and business activities and goods consumption through numerous e-commerce platforms.
Representatives from various AIPA member countries went on to share their experience in containing the pandemic and promoting economic recovery amidst the ongoing health crisis.
They displayed a willingness to co-operate for economic growth recovery and green economic development, along with meeting sustainable development goals after the pandemic for the stability and prosperity of the ASEAN Community and for the sake of people throughout the region.
The AIPA Caucus was officially established at the 28th AIPA General Assembly held back in 2007 in Malaysia.
The Vietnamese NA has been an active member of the AIPA Caucus, with the nation successfully organising the fifth AIPA Caucus in 2013 which focused on green growth and poverty reduction for sustainable development in ASEAN.