Viet Nam proposed a resolution on strengthening intra-regional cooperation to build an ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) of equal development and inclusive growth.

The resolution, adopted with high consensus by the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) member countries, was made at the second plenary session of the 38th AIPA General Assembly in the Philippines on Tuesday. 

The resolution, which suggests enhancing multinational cooperation to narrow the development gap, ensures sustainable poverty reduction and effective implementation of social welfare. 

It calls for considering the building of a common institutional framework for the AEC. 

Việt Nam also put forward ideas to modify the contents of a resolution on combating marine plastic debris and micro-plastic proposed by Indonesia. 

The ideas revolved around the mention of the United Nations sustainable development goal of enhancing the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas and marine resources and urging the governments of AIPA member countries to promote communication campaigns to change consumers’ habit of using plastic bags. 

Within the framework of the conference of women parliamentarians of AIPA, the Vietnamese delegation, led by Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Tong Thi Phong, contributed to the contents of a resolution addressing health matters for women migrant workers and urged AIPA member countries to improve health financial policies to help them access healthcare services. 

After adopting 21 resolutions, heads of delegations of AIPA member countries signed a joint communiqué. 

Participants also agreed to change the logo of the AIPA with the hope of boosting solidarity and development. 

AIPA-38 took place from September 16 to 19 with the participation of representatives from 10 ASEAN member countries and 11 observer nations. 

Themed “ASEAN and AIPA: Partnering for Inclusive Change,” the event focuses on ways to address challenges facing the region and the world, such as anti-drugs, environmental protection, healthcare protection for women migrant workers, protection of women and children from sexual abuse, and food security. 

VNS