NA Chairwoman calls for stronger cooperation in APPF

Siem Reap (VNA) – Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan has called on member parliaments of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) to continue with their comprehensive and close cooperation in all spheres to ensure the effective operation of the forum.

Ngan, who is Chair of the 26th APPF Annual Meeting (APPF-26), made the appeal while addressing the 27th APPF Annual Meeting (APPF-27) that opened in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on January 15.

The APPF should further reform its organisation and enhance coordination and relations between legislative and executive channels of each regional country, she said.

The Vietnamese top legislator stressed that the Hanoi Declaration adopted at the APPF-26 marked the 25-year development of the forum and opened up a new vision for parliamentary ties in Asia-Pacific by 2030.

The document highlights efforts in accelerating trade liberalisation, narrowing development gaps between APPF member countries and promoting the implementation of international development commitments, especially the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), she added.

APPF has successfully strengthened its partnership with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in an effort to materialise the wish of people in Asia-Pacific for a region of peace and development, reflecting a trend of the parliamentary diplomacy in a new development period, Ngan noted.

The APPF-27 is taking place amidst complex developments of the global and regional situations, with such issues as trade tension, protectionism, unsettled “hot spots,” terrorism, cyber security, religious, racial and territorial conflicts, cross-border crimes, climate change, natural disasters, and diseases.

These issues have posed serious challenges to regional stability, peace and security, as well as sustainable development of nations and people’s living standards.

However, she said, the Asia-Pacific region has still maintained its growth pace and served as the driver of the global economy and the core factor in expanding multi-layer connectivity and enhancing partnership for the targets of peace, cooperation and sustainable development.

Pursuing the targets of independence, self-reliance, dialogue and cooperation on the basis of international law and the United Nations Charter is the basic foundation to maintain peace, security and development, Ngan emphasised.

Within the framework of the APPF-27, President of the Cambodian National Assembly Heng Samrin hosted a reception for representatives of delegations to the event.

Vice Chairman of the Vietnamese NA Uong Chu Luu attended the meeting.-VNA