The 31st ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-31) will be held in Hanoi from September 19-25, said  NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong.

This will be the most important event in Vietnam’s AIPA presidential term as well as in Vietnam National Assembly’s (NA) foreign affairs for 2010, Phong said at the meeting of the AIPA-31 Organising Board in Hanoi on July 29.

The NA Vice Chairwoman, who is also Head of the Vietnamese NA delegation to the AIPA-31 General Assembly, said AIPA-31 will provide an opportunity for Vietnam to raise its profile within ASEAN.

As host country, Vietnam will need to provide leadership in implementing the ASEAN Charter and building an ASEAN community by 2015.

The successful organisation of this event will enhance Vietnam's prestige in the international arena. At AIPA-31, Vietnam will preside over plenary sessions and dialogue sessions with assembly observers and take part in other meetings, Phong said.
She briefed other AIPA-31 board members on issues of major concern at the previous AIPA sessions and the outcomes of the 16th ASEAN Meeting and the 43rd ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting.

Other issues under discussion were related to protocol, past experience in organising ASEAN-related meetings and cultural characteristics and religions of ASEAN countries./.