The resolutions adopted and the discussions at the 41st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 41) have highlighted the parliamentary role in the process of implementing the commitments to securing peace, security, prosperity and sustainability, for the interest of all people in ASEAN Community, according to Nguyen thi Kim Ngan, Chairwoman of Vietnam's National Assembly and President of AIPA 41.

Chairwoman of Vietnam's National Assembly and President of AIPA 41 Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. Photo: AIPA 41.

“The 41st General Assembly of AIPA is a significant step further for AIPA to perform its noble mission, which is to promote solidarity, mutual understanding, cooperation and close relations among the Parliaments of ASEAN Member States,” said Mrs. Ngan in her closing remarks of the AIPA 41 on September 10 in Hanoi.

According to Mrs. Ngan, the General Assembly is aware of the complicated and fast-changing developments of political and security situations in the world and in the region.

In this new circumstance, countries are now facing both conventional and non-conventional security threats, while the Covid-19 pandemic is posing big challenges for the development process of each country.

Overview of the closing ceremony. Photo: AIPA 41.

These challenges have led to an urgent need for AIPA to further strengthen its solidarity, promote parliamentary diplomacy and compliance with the common principles of the international law, the Charter of the United Nations, the ASEAN Charter, in order to join hands to build a cohesive and responsive ASEAN Community that put the people at its core.

AIPA 41 also urges countries to fully respect the independence and sovereignty, the territorial integrity of others and not to take any action that could damage   peace and stability in the region.

“Peace and security are fundamental grounds for the prosperous and long-lasting development, and therefore, AIPA always attaches high priority to the enhancement of partnerships and dialogues with ASEAN on different levels,” Mrs. Ngan stressed.

First Vice President of Vietnam’s National Assembly Tong Thi Phong receives the AIPA awards for Outstanding Contribution. Photo: AIPA 41.

Strong determination to ensure economic recovery post Covid-19

Regarding economic issues, AIPA 41 has shown strong determination in collaborating to harmonize laws and policies on economy and trade, with a view to recovering economic and tourism activities after Covid-19; standing ready to support ASEAN to conclude the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement in 2020; welcoming the establishment of an ASEAN Covid-19 Response Fund; requesting the governments to further facilitate trade activities and the development of agricultural value chains, ensuring food security and water security, promoting sub-regional cooperation, building a circular economy and promoting the use of renewable energy for sustainable development.

In addition, AIPA 41 has also attached high importance to the enhancement of oversight capacity over the implementation of international and regional commitments on trade, investment, and considered this a key tool to promote comprehensive integration within ASEAN Community and between ASEAN and external partners.

AIPA 41 has committed to jointly promote the development of the digital platform, digital connections with due considerations of ensuring digital security; joined hands to improve the people’s skills and know-how to make the best use of the opportunities of the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Regarding culture, society, women and youth, AIPA 41 has shown a very high spirit of responsiveness by coming up with important initiatives for ASEAN parliamentary cooperation, such as promoting legal cooperation to fight drugs; especially the upgrading of the parliamentary partnership on culture and education cooperation for sustainable development to a higher level has reflected a long-term vision of the parliamentarians, turning words into actions, raising the whole society’s awareness of the importance of education, since education is the first key to high quality human resources for socio-economic development.

Chairwoman of Vietnam's National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan hands over the AIPA Presidency to Speaker of the Legislative Council of Brunei Darussalam Pehin Dato Abdul Rahman Taib for AIPA 2021. Photo: AIPA 41.

The delegates have also reconfirmed their support for gender equality; improvement of healthcare quality for all people; enhancement of women’s engagement in all aspects of life; environmental protection; climate change response; conserving biodiversity. The delegates have all agreed with the need to accelerate dialogues and joint actions to respond to the non-conventional security challenges, and to manage the natural resources sustainably.

Mrs. Ngan also handed over the AIPA Presidency to Speaker of the Legislative Council of Brunei Darussalam Pehin Dato Abdul Rahman Taib for AIPA 2021.