The 18th annual meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) wrapped up in Singapore on January 21 after a four-day sitting.

As many as 134 parliamentarians from 21 APPF member countries discussed a wide range of issues, including the enhancement of regional cooperation to ensure peace and security and weather the world economic crisis.

Ways of coping with climate change, tackling the consequences of natural disasters and encouraging dialogues among young people in the region were covered in discussions during the meeting.

While debating the global financial crisis and its adverse impact on regional economies, the participants agreed that the APPF member countries need to work closely with their parliaments to promote trade, combat protectionism and put economies back on the road to recovery.

A resolution on climate change that was sponsored by six nations, including Vietnam, was also adopted as the delegates agreed that the Asia Pacific is the region being hardest hit by natural disasters.

During the meeting, Vietnam suggested the establishment of a joint cooperation mechanism for APPF, the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) when coping with the challenges and risks of climate change.

National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong, Head of the Vietnamese delegation, held bilateral meetings with head delegates from China , Cambodia , Laos , Russia , Canada and the host, Singapore./.