(VOVWORLD) - The 45th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-45) is taking place in Vientiane, Laos, until Wednesday under the theme “The Role of Parliaments in Enhancing Connectivity and Inclusive Growth of ASEAN”. AIPA-45 promotes AIPA’s orientation of strengthening connectivity among regional economies and between ASEAN and external partners, narrowing the development gap, and moving toward a resilient, cohesive, prosperous, and people-centered ASEAN Community.
 Vietnam’s National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man. (Photo: VOV) |
AIPA 45 is taking place with ASEAN continuing to build the ASEAN Community, striving to complete the 2025 Master Plan, and developing strategies for cooperation in politics and security, the economy, culture and society, and connectivity.
Strengthening ASEAN’s role
The theme of AIPA-45 is consistent with ASEAN’s theme this year – “ASEAN: Promoting Connectivity and Resilience” – which emphasizes dialogue and consultation between ASEAN, AIPA, and parliaments of AIPA’s observer countries and partners to strengthen ASEAN’s role.
This theme reflects the consistent message of AIPA and Laos, as AIPA Chair and ASEAN Chair for 2024, to strengthen connectivity between regional economies and between ASEAN and its partners, narrow the development gap, promote comprehensive and sustainable development, strengthen the commitment to implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, promptly respond to emerging challenges, and seize opportunities to move toward a resilient, cohesive, prosperous, and people-centered ASEAN Community.
To achieve the two targets of connectivity and comprehensive growth, AIPA members should combine their strength and help ASEAN governments achieve comprehensive growth.
At AIPA-45, participants will attend 12 meetings to consider and approve 38 draft resolutions related to politics, economics, society, women, and children, and discuss ways to increase connectivity within ASEAN and between ASEAN and other regions to improve people’s lives.
Vietnam's active contributions to AIPA
The attendance at AIPA-45 by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man demonstrates Vietnam’s active participation and responsible contributions to fostering the central role, solidarity, and unity of ASEAN, promoting intra-bloc cooperation, and expanding multi-faceted relations with parliaments inside and outside the region to help ASEAN governments resolve regional issues.
His attendance also shows the support of the Vietnamese National Assembly for Laos in fulfilling its duty as ASEAN/AIPA Chair for 2024 and organizing AIPA-45.
“Vietnam is proposing 4 initiatives in the form of draft resolutions at the AIPA Young Parliamentarians' Conference, the Social Committee, the AIPA Women Parliamentarians' Conference, and the Economic Committee. The Vietnamese delegation is co-sponsoring 6 additional resolutions,” said Le Thu Ha, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly’s Committee for External Relations.
The four draft resolutions focus on the role of young ASEAN parliamentarians in promoting Sustainable Development Goals; rights, social welfare, and employment opportunities for elderly people in ASEAN; the elimination of violence against women and girls in ASEAN; and institutional capacity to connect transport, aviation, and seaports in ASEANl
The 6 co-sponsored resolutions include a Resolution on strengthening the role of Parliament in promoting connectivity and harmonious development of ASEAN through political-security cooperation and promoting green capital mobilization for sustainable infrastructure development toward the ASEAN Community Vision after 2025.
“We appreciate positive contributions to regional and international forums in general, especially the Vietnamese National Assembly’s opinions and views on issues that regional countries are facing. We are very proud to host the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and for the Lao National Assembly to chair AIPA-45, in which the Vietnamese National Assembly has stood side by side with us, provided material support for these important conferences, and sent experts and technicians to support us,” Vice President of the Lao National Assembly Sounthone Xayachak said.
The presence of the Vietnamese NA Chairman and its high-ranking delegation at AIPA-45 gives strong momentum to the host country and contributes to the success of this conference, he added.
AIPA is a model of regional inter-parliamentary cooperation that promotes cooperation between representative agencies of the people’s will and aspirations. In the current global context, solidarity and mutual support among ASEAN parliaments are important factors toward a resilient, cohesive, prosperous, and successful ASEAN Community.