National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan speaks at the first plenary session of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA)’s 40th General Assembly on August 26. (Source: VNA) Bangkok (VNA) – The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) actively supports the regional grouping’sefforts in realizing and associating the ASEAN Vision 2025 with the UN Agenda2030 on sustainable development, as well as ASEAN’s initiatives instrengthening regional connectivity, especially in environmental protection,climate change response and reduction of plastic waste and ocean debris.
Thestatement was made by National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan whileaddressing the first plenary session of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA)’s 40th General Assembly in Bangkokon August 26.
Sheproposed that the AIPA focus on a number of issues, including the realizing ofinternational law, the forming and sharing of ASEAN principles and norms ofconduct of the ASEAN, and the reinforcement of solidarity and unity among themember countries as well as the association’s central role in the regional architectureand the coping with problems impacting peace, security and stability in theregion.
TheAIPA should reform its organization and operation to further promote itsefficiency, she said.
TheNA leader called on the AIPA members to review their domestic legal documentsystem to increase the legal harmony and mutual recognition, serving theimplementation of master plans for the ASEAN Community building.
Sheunderlined the need for closer cooperation in IT among the ASEAN and the regionto optimize resources and support in technique, technology and finance toenhance national capacity in adapting with the Fourth Industrial Revolution andnarrow digital gaps, as well as deal with cyber security matters.
Nganalso stressed the need for stronger communications on the ASEAN and the AIPAamong the community.
Shefurther held that the ASEAN member countries should continue reinforcingsolidarity and unity, promoting the grouping’s central role and deepening itscollaboration with partners, thus affirming the role of the association as amotivation for strengthening dialogue, cooperation and development processes inthe region.
Theleader noted that through the past over one year, amidst the rapid andcomplicated changes in the global situation, the ASEAN Community has faced increasingchallenges, especially the strategic competition among world powers as well astraditional and non-traditional security issues and economic risks.
However,the association has made encouraging achievements in all the three key pillars,while all member countries have secured good economic growth, she said.
TheNA leader expressed concern over complicated developments in the region overthe past years, underlining that at the 52nd ASEAN ForeignMinisters’ Meeting, participants raised their voice against unilateralactivities in the East Sea that violated sovereignty and legitimate rights ofcoastal states, eroded trust and negatively impacted peace, stability as wellas maritime and aviation security and safety in the region.
Shestressed the need to reaffirm common principles and perceptions related to theEast Sea issue that have been widely recognized by the ASEAN members and theinternational community, including upholding and following international lawand the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), practicingself-restraint, not conducting militarization and actions that complicate thesituation, fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in theEast Sea, and striving to soon finalise a Code of Conduct in the East Sea(COC).
HighlightingAIPA members’ willingness to accompany with the ASEAN in ASEAN Communitybuilding, she said that the AIPA and its member parliaments will continuecontributing to the promotion of the legal harmonization, the supervision overthe implementation of agreements and master plans for the community building,and cooperation policies.
Nganpledged that Vietnam will continue pursuing the consistent foreign policy ofindependence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification ofrelations with countries, while actively and proactively integrating into theworld.
TheNA of Vietnam will continue its active and responsible engagement in AIPAactivities, while working to strengthen the AIPA-ASEAN partnership, she vowed.
TheVietnamese top law-maker expressed her hope that in 2020, when Vietnam playsthe role of the ASEAN Chair and a non-permanent member of the UN SecurityCouncil, and the Vietnamese NA takes the AIPA Chairmanship, Vietnam willcontribute to the improvement of the efficiency of the AIPA and make it therepresentative of the aspiration and interest of all ASEAN citizens.-VNA
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