The organising committee of the 26th Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF-26) made its debut at a ceremony in Hanoi on October 3. 

Standing Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam National Assembly Tong Thi Phong speaks at the ceremony (Source: vov.vn)

Addressing the function, Standing Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam National Assembly Tong Thi Phong, who heads the committee, highlighted the APPF-26 as the first important politic and diplomatic activity of the Party and State in 2018. 

She called on the committee’s members to carry forward contents discussed at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) events to materialise commitments made by APEC leaders, turning words into actions and contributing to peace, stability and prosperity in the region. 

Monthly specific plans should be rolled out on the basis of political projects and tasks of ministries and agencies, she said, asking sub-committees to promptly work on plans to ensure security and safety of the forum while launching information channels in order to make the best preparations. 

The APPF was founded by former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone on March 15, 1993. 

Bringing together parliamentarians from across the Asia-Pacific region, the forum aims to directly assist the APEC, contributing to peace, stability and prosperity in the region. 

The APPF 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. 

A foundational document, the Tokyo Declaration signed by 59 parliamentarians from 15 countries, established the APPF’s objectives, principles, and structure.

Since joining the APPF, the Vietnam NA has always taken part in the forum’s activities actively, which has been applauded by the international community. 

The most noteworthy is Vietnam’s hosting of the 13th APPF in January 2005 in Ha Long city, the northern province of Quang Ninh, and the APPF-26 scheduled for 2018. 

On August 30, 2017, the NA Standing Committee issued Resolution No. 426/NQ-UBTVQH4 on the establishment of the 16-member organising committee of the APPF-26 headed by NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong. 

The committee has been tasked with proposing topics of the forum, its agenda, draft resolutions and joint declaration, and preparing for the participation of the Vietnamese delegation at the event. 

Besides, it will coordinate relevant ministries, agencies and localities in the preparation and organisation of the event. 

The committee will meet annually to hear reports on the preparation work presented by APPF-26 sub-committees and the APPF -26 Secretariat.

VNA