The Asia Parliamentary Assembly (APA) opened a plenary session in Bandung , Indonesia , on Dec. 8 under the theme “Roles of Asia Parliaments in Promoting Democracy towards Peace, Prosperity and Justice in Asia”.

A Vietnamese delegation joins over 190 delegates from 26 APA member countries, four observers and three Asian parliamentary organisations in the event.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed his belief in values of democracy, which put an end to discrimination and helped improve human rights and freedom for mankind.

Yudhoyono expressed his hope that as Asia’s representative, APA would support the on-going UN conference on climate change in Copenhagen , Demark as well as the agreement at the conference to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which will end in 2012.

Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Marzuki Alie said he hoped APA would help find solution to serious and complicated problems, including violence and terrorism.

APA plenary session will close on Dec. 10./.