Vice Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Do Ba Ty speaks at the first plenary session of the AIPA-39 (Photo: VNA) Singapore (VNA) – A delegation fromthe National Assembly of Vietnam led by Vice Chairman Do Ba Ty participated inthe 39th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) General Assembly, which openedin Singapore on September 4.
Themed “Towards a Resilient and InnovativeCommunity”, the event drew over 350 delegates from both member and observing countries,along with representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat and parliamentarians fromMorocco and Norway as guests of the host.
Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Heansuggested the AIPA focus on solidarity, connectivity, creativity, and climatechange adaptation to build a sustainable and innovative ASEAN community.
He affirmed that mechanisms led by ASEAN are animportant foundation for regional countries – especially given the context ofan increasingly complicated geopolitical situation, non-traditional andcross-border challenges such as terrorism, violent extremism, and cyber crime;along with protectionism, which are threatening global political order andeconomy.
Meanwhile, the AIPA plays a significant part inpromoting solidarity and cooperation in the region, he said, adding that AIPAparliamentarians hold a crucial role in helping other countries understand theimportance of creating a more connected ASEAN as well as promoting a free andopen trade market.
AIPA parliamentarians are also pivotal inpromoting the application of new technology in businesses, making use of theFourth Industrial Revolution wave in building up smart cities networks, hesaid.
In particular, the AIPA should urge leaders toencourage sustainable growth; create ecological systems adaptive to climatechange and environmental protection; and mitigate the possible effectives thatnatural disasters have on people’s lives, he suggested.
Singaporean Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin– who is also President of the AIPA-39 General Assembly – said that Singaporewill spare no effort in making active contributions towards reinforcing mutualunderstanding and trust among AIPA members, thus creating an importantfoundation to boost cooperation and build a more sustainable and innovativeASEAN, serving the best interests of its people.
Addressing the first plenary session of theAIPA-39, Vice Chairman Do Ba Ty said the National Assembly of Vietnam has beenactively involved in AIPA activities, contributing to building the ASEAN communitytowards stability and sustainable development.
The AIPA should continue to place a high premiumon ASEAN codes of conduct, such as abiding by international law; promotingsolidarity and unity as a joint effort to maintain peace and security; payingattention to building trust; preventing all possible conflicts in the region;and actively implementing commitments in ASEAN, he recommended.
He added that the AIPA needs to make it easierfor cooperation agendas to be implemented in ASEAN across all spheres, particularlyhigh technology and digital fields, as well as efforts to cope with non-traditionalsecurity matters as approved by ASEAN leaders last April.
He suggested the AIPA promote parliamentarianscrutiny of the implementation of the ASEAN master plan in terms of the pillarof policy, economy, and society-culture. Enhancing coordination and assistanceamong member nations to develop economy, narrow development gap, improvepeople’s living standards, cope with climate change, protect the environment,energy security, and water resources was also recommended.
The AIPA is comprised of all 10 ASEANparliaments, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, thePhilippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The AIPA was established in 1977 as the ASEANInter-Parliamentary Organisation (AIPO) with the parliaments of Indonesia,Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand as its founding members. In2007, AIPO was officially renamed the AIPA. –VNA
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