AIPA-42: Brunei highlights AIPA’s role in realising digital inclusion
Hanoi (VNA) – Member of the Legislative Council of Brunei Yang Dato
Paduka Haji Sabtu underscored the instrumental role of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary
Assembly (AIPA) in realising digital inclusion in his speech delivered at the 42nd General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-42) via
a video conference on August 23.
Themed “Forging Parliamentary Cooperation in Digital
Inclusion Towards ASEAN Community 2025”, the event was chaired by AIPA
President and Speaker of the Legislative Council of Brunei Pehin Dato Abdul Rahman Taib.
He stressed that digital inclusion is a prime agenda
across ASEAN member states that takes challenges in order to fulfill
connectivity gaps in Internet access and affordability. In harmonising
regulation and standardising the policies across ASEAN, AIPA can be a sounding
board for ASEAN member states to align and assimilate strategies, policies,
action plans, and roadmaps across all sectors while considering utilising
digital technology as an effective enabling tool.
The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025
called for the establishment of a coherent and comprehensive framework for
personal data protection. Therefore, it is a role of AIPA member parliaments to
ensure cybersecurity in the region, in accordance with the domestic laws, policies
and regulations of ASEAN member states.
The ASEAN Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC)
2016 - 2025 must be supported to avoid negative impact on micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) that could further hinder the growth of ASEAN economy. Therefore, AIPA member parliaments
should encourage regional states to prioritise connectivity, regional
integration and narrowing the development gap among ASEAN member states in a
coordinated approach to achieve the objectives of the fourth Industrial Revolution and closer sectoral integration, he said.
He added that it is important for AIPA member parliaments
to collaborate and provide guidance within ASEAN in utilising available
resources towards integrating digital technology for climate resilience and
adaptation.
According to him, sustainable development on achieving
gender equality and empowering all women and girls are highlighted in Women Parliamentarian
Meeting to emphasise the use of enabling technology, particularly information
and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women. This is in
line with the theme of Brunei Darussalam 2021 ASEAN Chairmanship “We Care, We
Prepare, We Prosper” to ensure the well-being and livelihood of the people./.