The 26th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF-26) will feature two plenary sessions on politics-security and economics-trade matters on January 19, the second working day of the event. 

​The opening session of the APPF-26

The first session is set to discuss the promotion of parliamentary diplomacy for peace, security and prosperity in the region and the world, along with the fight against international terrorism and trans-border crime.

At the second plenary session, APPF delegates are expected to hear the report on the results of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. They will also talk about the role of parliaments in promoting economic links intensively and comprehensively. 

Other issues to be tabled during the session include food security  and sustainable agricultural development, support for micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the digital age.

The delegates will focus on economic cooperation in Asia-Pacific and parliamentarians’ contributions to regional efforts to expand trade and investment cooperation, for peace, stability and sustainable development. 

The Drafting Committee and working groups of the APPF are also scheduled to convene their meeting on January 19.

There will also be bilateral meetings between leaders of the member parliaments on the sidelines of the event. 

Lasting until January 21, the APPF-26 features four plenary sessions on the topics of politics-security, economics-trade, regional cooperation in Asia-Pacific, and the future of APPF. 

Founded in Tokyo, Japan in 1993, the APPF now gathers 27 members, namely Australia, Cambodia, Canada, China, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, the Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, the US, and Vietnam.

It is a mechanism that enables parliamentarians to discuss issues of common concern, and to deepen their understanding of the region and the interests and experience of its diverse members. The forum’s proceedings address political, security, economic, social and cultural issues, thus furthering regional cooperation and building relations between and among parliamentarians from the Asia-Pacific region.

APPF-26: Delegates back Vietnam´s gender equality topic

Delegates to the 26th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF-26) voiced their support for Vietnam´s initiative to take gender equality and empowerment of women and girls as one of the key topics discussed at the meeting this year.

Delegates to the Meeting of Women Parliamentarians of the 26th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF-26). 

After the Meeting of Women Parliamentarians, which was held on the first working day of the APPF-26, Vice Chairman of the Russian State Duma Olga N. Epifanova said she fully backs Vietnam’s incorporation of women empowerment and gender equality into this annual meeting’s agenda.

Stephenie Ritland, Attorney Advisor Federated States of Micronesia, also applauded the theme. "I think it is a very important topic", Ritland told Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reporters.

"We currently don´t have any female parliamentarian in our congress […] I think it´s fantastic (that Vietnam has a female NA leader) as it sets a great global example. Vietnam is taking great steps moving forwards," Ritland said.

She also spoke highly of Japan's recommendations for the amendment to the APPF rules that are ‘very significant’ to promoting gender equality.

This year, the Japanese delegation brings to the APPF meeting a proposal that seeks to amend the APPF Rules of Procedure, allowing the Meeting of Women Parliamentarians to become a permanent feature of the event.

"This is the first attempt to do that. Even though we come from different countries, we share common issues when it comes to trying to solve gender equality issues. Having discussions in this kind of women parliamentarians meeting will benefit each delegation in solving their own problems’, said Yoshiko Kira, Member of House of Councillors at the National Diet of Japan.

"Fortunately, the meeting unanimously adopted Japan´s proposal to amend the APPF rules", she noted, adding that the proposal will be brought to the Executive Committee and then the Drafting Committee for consideration.

"We are hoping that it will be adopted on the final day of the APPF," she said.

"I think all parliaments should together combat issues of women, girls and children", stated Alexander O’Connor, Assistant Minister for Health and Medical Services of Fiji.

VNA