A delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly led by NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong is attending the 20 th annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF-20) that kicked off in Tokyo , Japan , on Jan. 9.

The four-day event drew the participation of parliamentarians from 27 APPF members and a number of observer countries.

Opening the meeting, Speaker of Japan’s House of Representatives Takahiro Yokomichi, who is also APPF-20 President, said over the past two decades, the Asia-Pacific region had to face a wide range of difficulties such as the financial crisis in Asia during 1990s, the global financial crisis 2008, changes in the international security system after the Cold War, the fight against terrorism and natural disasters which occurred on a large scale.

Regional countries, however, have united to surpass those challenges, Yokomichi stressed.

He called on the APPF members to continue their cooperation to create a foundation for further development in the Asia-Pacific region even when the world is entering a new era of numerous difficulties and challenges.

Sharing Yokomichi’s views, Kenji Hirata, President of the Japanese Senate and APPF-20 co-President, highlighted the significance of enhancing cooperation between regional parliaments.

The delegates will discuss measures to foster regional cooperation in such areas as natural disasters, the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals and nuclear safety.

Other issues regarding regional and international political, economic and security situations as well as Japan ’s proposals for changes in APPF-20’s procedures will also be put on the table.

The event is expected to adopt the Tokyo Joint Declaration which outlines orientation and new vision for the forum.

Established in March, 1993, APPF is a place for member parliamentarians to discuss measures to step up regional cooperation towards peace and development in the region./.