Laos: AIPA’s 35th General Assembly opens

The 35th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-35) with the theme “Strengthening parliamentary cooperation within ASEAN Community” opened in Vientiane, Laos on September 16.
The 35th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-35) with the theme “Strengthening parliamentary cooperation within ASEAN Community” opened in Vientiane, Laos on September 16.

Representatives from the 10 ASEAN member nations along with those from the observer states including Japan, Belarus, the Republic of Korea, China, Russia, India, Australia, and Timor-Leste have participated in the event. National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung led the Vietnamese delegation to the six-day forum.

In her opening speech, AIPA-35 Chairperson Pany Yathortou, who is Chairwoman of the Lao National Assembly, underlined the significance of the event for the member legislative bodies in the face of regional and global situations challenged by continuous complicated developments.

She said the reinforced coordination between AIPA and ASEAN is significant for the ASEAN community-building and the peaceful, stable and prosperous Southeast Asia.

The NA Chairwoman called on participants to be active in discussing relevant issues, saying that their opinions will improve the affiliation between AIPA member nations, thus benefiting their people.

Speaking at the event, Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong praised AIPA’s contributions to its member countries’ socio-economic development and the promotion of peace and cooperation in Southeast Asia and the world at large.

He said the Lao Government strongly backs the AIPA-35 agenda when it focuses on joint efforts to narrow development gaps, prevent diseases and eradicate violence against women and children.

Laos, as a member of AIPA, will do its utmost to ensure the success and efficiency of the cooperation mechanism in ASEAN, the PM affirmed, adding that his country wants to receive more support from other members and international partners towards realising the common regional goals in the near future.-VNA

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