At the meeting, participants reviewed the operation of the APF and its affiliated committees, as well as the Francophonie network of female MPs, and approved a 2010 APF programme of interparliamentary cooperation.

They also examined natural disasters and political crises in certain member countries.

To help Haiti repair the damage caused by its recent earthquake and rebuild the country, the APF’s executive board has called for help from the international community and established a special assistance fund donated by APF members.

Ngo Quang Xuan, who is also APF’s vice chairman, proposed several initiatives to promote APF operations, develop the French language, and preserve the APF’s diversified cultures.

At meetings with Vietnam and Lao Subcommittee chairmen on the sideline of the event, the APF secretary general and chairman emphasized how important a role MPs of Asia-Pacific nations play in developing their countries’ Francophone space and lending a Francophone perspective to the cooperation and development of each country.

The APF has recently shown keen interest in promoting cooperation with Vietnam’s National Assembly through a programme to sponsor Vietnamese NA deputies to participate in some MP forums and the NORIA programme to open French classes for officials and organise French seminars in Vietnam.