Opening of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly 3
The opening session took place under the chairmanship of Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan;
At other bridge points were parliamentary leaders of 10 AIPA member countries;
This is the first time in AIPA’s 43-year history that the General Assembly is held online.
National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan delivered the opening speech of AIPA 41 on the morning of September 8.
In her opening remarks, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said this event affirms the role and responsibility of the Vietnamese National Assembly and AIPA’s international mission in multilateral cooperation mechanisms, and is a testament to the spirit of the Vietnamese National Assembly.
`The theme of parliamentary diplomacy for a cohesive and proactive ASEAN community, along with the theme of the 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship, represents the consensus and timely response of AIPA and member parliaments to the policy.
According to the Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly, each parliament needs to stand side by side with the government to find all measures to soon repel the Covid-19 pandemic, restore and develop the economy, stabilize people’s lives and promote cooperation between people.
She also informed that on the agenda of the General Assembly, the AIPA Economic Committee will discuss the topic `The role of parliament in promoting ASEAN economic cohesion and recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic.`
Parliamentarians will discuss together on the topic `parliamentary diplomacy for sustainable peace and security in ASEAN`.
`In particular, to enhance the role of young parliamentarians in particular and the role of young people in general, for the first time, the AIPA Young Parliamentarians Conference is organized to discuss the participation of AIPA young parliamentarians in the process.
In his welcome message to the 41st AIPA General Assembly, General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong said the world and the Southeast Asia region are experiencing profound and unprecedented changes, especially due to the impact of the pandemic.
`The ASEAN community in general and AIPA in particular need to be cohesive and resilient to adapt to new circumstances and meet the increasing expectations of people, businesses and international friends,` he said.
The General Secretary and President of Vietnam also said that the success of the ASEAN community depends greatly on whether it serves and meets the aspirations and practical interests of the people.
Therefore, it is time for AIPA to continue contributing to efforts to promote ASEAN’s central role in the emerging regional structure, promoting multilateralism, international connectivity and cooperation, and the rule of law.
Leaders of the National Assembly and Government of Vietnam and delegates at the opening session of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hopes that AIPA member parliaments and parliamentarians gather the will and aspirations of the people, make recommendations and work with the governments of ASEAN countries to express them in policy decisions on ASEAN’s development direction.
AIPA member parliaments join hands with the governments of ASEAN countries to build an ASEAN community based on rules, respect for the law, equality, mutual respect, and resolving disputes and differences in a reasonable manner.
`I appreciate the dialogue and valuable voices of parliamentarians, AIPA member parliamentarians and government channels to promote the spirit of people’s cohesion, contributing to deepening values and identities.
The 41st Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (AIPA 41) was organized by the National Assembly of Vietnam from September 8 to 10.
At this General Assembly, the number of heads of delegations of participating member Parliaments reached the highest level ever, of which 10 countries nominated 11 AIPA Parliamentary Chairmen (Thailand has both the National Assembly President and the Senate President).
Hoang Thuy
