The 27th annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF-27) wrapped up in Siem Reap ancient city, Cambodia on January 16 and its chair, President of the Cambodian National Assembly Samdech Heng Samrin, declared it a success.

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan at the meeting

Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and other leaders of the APPF member parliaments attended the closing ceremony.

After listening to reports summarising the outcomes of meetings of women parliamentarians’ working group and the Committee on compiling APPF-27 documents, the meeting adopted 14 resolutions on the basis of 43 draft resolutions proposed by member countries and the Siem Reap 2019 joint declaration. 

Heads of delegations signed the joint declaration and agreed to hand over APPF alternate chairmanship to the Australian parliament. 

Heng Samrin presented the flag of alternate chairmanship to a representative from the Australian parliament as host of APPF-28. 

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Heng Samrin affirmed that the APPF-27 has been a success with delegates proposing practical ideas and a long-term vision to build the Asia-Pacific of peace, stability, harmony and sustainable development, thus meeting aspirations of all countries. 

He expressed strong support for initiatives to deal with common issues via peaceful means and avoid every military conflict, particularly strengthening parliaments’ role in mediation and maintaining peace in the region and the world. 

The leader said the adopted resolutions aim to maintain peace, focus resources on women and children, fight terrorism and cyber crimes, mitigate impacts of climate change, respect human rights, improve values of cultural-tourism identity, and expand cooperation in free trade and investment in the region. 

Peace and stability really provide a prerequisite for national construction and development, he said, adding that countries need to trust each other, address issues via peaceful means and seriously follow the principle of not interfering in internal affairs of sovereign countries in line with the United Nations Charter. 

He added that APPF will continue playing a crucial role in encouraging member governments to realise adopted resolutions. 

During the meeting of APPF’s women parliamentarians, participants discussed strengthening Asia-Pacific partnership in gender equality, empowering women and girls for peace and sustainable development, ensuring men and women’ access to education, technical training and information technology for sustainable peace and fulfillment of sustainable development goals, promoting gender equality and women empowerment in decision-making at all levels. 

Discussions on political and security issues focused on trust building, fight against terrorism and trans-national crimes in the region, increased parliamentary cooperation to promote the responsible use of cyber space for social progress. 

As regards economic and trade issues, they talked measures to enhance coordination in building strong institutions to step up trade and inclusive growth, promote financial access and vocational training for small- and medium-sized enterprises, increase Asia-Pacific connectivity via e-commerce. 

They also looked into ways to improve parliamentary role in coping with climate change, mitigating disaster risks, and promoting cultural and tourism diversity in the region.

NA Chairwoman back in Hanoi from APPF-27

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan signs APPF-27 joint declaration 

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and her entourage arrived in Hanoi on January 16, concluding visit to attend the 27th annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF-27) in Siem Reap at the invitation of President of the Cambodian National Assembly Samdech Heng Samrin, chair of the APPF-27. 

She was accompanied by NA Vice Chairman and President of the Vietnam – Cambodia Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group Uong Chu Luu, NA Secretary General and Chairman of the NA Office Nguyen Hanh Phuc, head of the NA’s Committee for External Relations Nguyen Van Giau, head of the NA’s Ethnic Council Ha Ngoc Chien and head of the NA’s Committee on Social Affairs Nguyen Thuy Anh. 

The APPF-27 took the theme “Strengthening parliamentary partnership for peace, security, and sustainable development”.

Addressing the opening ceremony, NA Chairwoman Ngan said the Vietnamese legislature actively realised resolutions by the APPF-26 last year, including a resolution on promoting parliamentary diplomacy for the sake of peace, security and prosperity in the region and the world. 

She wished that member parliaments would continue their comprehensive and close cooperation in the fields of politics, security, economy, science-technology, socio-culture and sustainable development, during which a proper roadmap is needed based on the spirit of consensus and solidarity with the motto of not leaving anyone behind and turning words into action. 

After three days of sitting, the APPF-27 adopted 14 resolutions on the basis of 43 draft resolutions proposed by member countries and 2019 Siem Reap joint declaration on January 16. 

On the sidelines of the event, the top Vietnamese legislator met Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian Senate Samdech Say Chhum, President of the Cambodian NA Samdech Heng Samrin and President of the Lao NA Pany Yathotou.

VNA