Vietnamese NA Chairman puts forth key proposals at AIPA-44 hinh anh 1
Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. (Photo: VNA)

The Vietnamese legislator suggested enhancing solidarity, centrality and strategic values of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He also proposed optimising the support of partners and the international community in ensuring a regional environment of peace, security and stability; ensuring the principles of independence and self-reliance, and maintaining consensus with ASEAN’s common stance and viewpoints.

Hue suggested taking peace as the goal, dialogue as the tool, and cooperation as the motto to address disputes in the spirit of respect for law, in line with common principles and code of conduct, as well as international law.

He called for stronger intra-bloc cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, people-to-people exchanges, technology transfer, finance-monetary, safe and sustainable digital transformation, and just energy transition.

ASEAN should foster relations with its partners to narrow development gaps, effectively respond to non-traditional security challenges like diseases, natural disasters, cyber crimes, cross-border crimes, climate change, and energy and water resources security. It should also boost sub-regional cooperation, contributing to ensuring inclusive growth, and equal and sustainable development, and raising its resilience to regional and global challenges, he said.

The leader stressed the need for ASEAN parliaments to continue improving their roles in law building, and strengthen their supervision over governments during the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint 2025 in all the three pillars of politics-security, economy, and culture-society, towards the post-2025 vision.

Meanwhile, AIPA should further reform, pay more attention to relations with partners that are its observers, he continued, stressing that Vietnam supports the admission of Cuba, Turkey and Armenia as AIPA’s observers.
 
According to the top legislator, at AIPA-44, Vietnam proposed three draft resolutions aiming to help ASEAN optimise advantages in science, technology, and innovation in service of economic recovery and development, as well as its potential to promote agricultural, food and forestry development.

Vietnam wishes to receive support from other ASEAN parliaments for the proposals, he said.

Hue used this occasion to invite representatives from the ASEAN parliaments and observers to attend the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians, slated for September in Hanoi.

Vietnam will try its best, together with other ASEAN member countries and AIPA parliaments, to build a strong and responsive ASEAN and AIPA, and turn risks into opportunities, towards a stable, prosperous and stable ASEAN Community, he affirmed.

With the theme of "Responsive Parliaments for A Stable and Prosperous ASEAN," AIPA-44 focused on issues regarding maintaining peace, security and stability through dialogue and cooperation; the fight against terrorism and extremism, and how to ensure water resources, energy and food security; accelerating green transition; enhancing regional economic connectivity and combating corruption; and promoting innovation, and scientific and technology transfer, application and development, among others.

Delegates shared the view that AIPA member parliaments should carry forward their roles in strengthening ASEAN’s solidarity and centrality in maintaining regional peace, security and stability, which is the prerequisite for a favourable environment for rapid socio-economic development and recovery.

Vietnamese President applauds AIPA’s contributions to ASEAN community

Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong conveyed a message to the 44th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-44), applauding the strong development and practical contributions of AIPA to the construction of a united and cohesive ASEAN community.

In his message, President Thuong highly evaluated AIPA and its member parliaments' support for the efforts of ASEAN member countries’ governments in overcoming numerous challenges and difficulties to become a united and strong organisation that has played an increasingly important role and position in the region and in the international arena.

He expressed his hope that AIPA will continue to support ASEAN in promoting multilateral connections, upholding the respect for law, and making positive contributions to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world.

On this occasion, President Thuong affirmed that Vietnam pledges to actively, effectively, and responsibly participate in all forums, and expressed his belief that AIPA-44 would be a success.
 
AIPA-44 opened in Jakarta capital city of Indonesia on August 7 with the participation of 568 delegates. Vietnam's National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue attended the opening ceremony.

Of the delegates, there are parliament heads of nine ASEAN member countries and representatives from 17 observers and guest countries together with nine international organisations.

In her remarks, AIPA Secretary-General Siti Rozaimeriyanty Dato Haji Abdul Rahman urged AIPA members to commit to strengthening adaptability and coordination with the ASEAN member nations' governments in addressing issues affecting the region, in maintaining security and stability and bringing prosperity to all people in the region.

She expressed her belief that AIPA will continue to play its vital role in better responding to the demands and aspirations of the regional people.

In her opening speech, Speaker of Indonesia's House of Representatives (DPR RI) Puan Maharani affirmed that AIPA-44 was an opportunity for the parliaments of the Southeast Asian countries to strengthen their commitment to respond to global and regional challenges and issues.

She said that AIPA will work for the people's aspirations for a safe, peaceful, prosperous, healthy, civilized, and friendly life, and at the same time, find common points for commitments despite differences among member countries. 
         
Emphasising that stability is a prerequisite for economic development and growth in Southeast Asia, contributing to global economic stability and growth, the Chair of AIPA 43 pledged that AIPA will continue to promote necessary commitments to maintain and ensure a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Southeast Asia.

In his message to AIPA-44, Indonesian President Joko Widodo reaffirmed his country’s commitment as the ASEAN Chair in 2023 to turn ASEAN into an epicentre of growth. He also emphasised the crucial role and contributions of AIPA in realising this commitment.

He emphasised that, in the current context, ASEAN needs to coordinate closely with AIPA and its member parliaments to maintain unity, strengthen cooperation, build mutual trust, and become a leading force in efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.

Source: VNA