AIPA President Highlights Five Key Outcomes of 43rd General Assembly

The 43rd General Assembly of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) was wrapped up here this morning under the presidency of Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin, President of the National Assembly of Cambodia and President of the 43rd AIPA General Assembly, after five days of meetings.

In his closing remarks, Samdech Heng Samrin highlighted five major outputs made by the 43rd AIPA General Assembly:

“First, AIPA’s relevance is rising and its external partnership building is gaining new momentum. It is an important milestone in AIPA history that we welcomed three new observer parliaments at the same time.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to congratulate the National Assemblies of Nepal, Azerbaijan and the Congress of the United States for recognising and approving the full AIPA observer conditions, and we strongly believe that AIPA’s relevant partner organisations will continue to play an important role in further enhancing relationships and cooperation with AIPA.

Second, our mutual trust and understanding within AIPA and between AIPA and observer parliaments have been remarkably enhanced. We had 16 dialogue panels with our partners from various parts of the world. These dialogues reflect their shared interest, common objectives, and collective efforts to address challenges together. Only by acting together can we effectively solve increasingly complex international issues and challenges.

Third, we have adopted many resolutions under the frameworks of WAIPA, YPA, political matters, economic matters, social matters, and organisational matters. Cambodia has proposed two new initiatives this year, including the first meeting of young parliamentarians and the establishment of an AIPA digital law library. The digital law library will play an important role in promoting legal harmonisation and knowledge and information sharing.

Fourth, we have demonstrated a spirit of unity and solidarity. ASEAN’s unity and centrality have been enhanced. We have come together to share ideas, come up with solutions and policy proposals, and express our collective political commitment to build a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient ASEAN Community.

Fifth, we have proven that the principles of consultation and consensus-based decision making remain fundamental to ASEAN’s unity and centrality. We have also observed that the four principles of mutual respect, mutual understanding, mutual trust, and mutual interest for peace and prosperity (M4P2) are vital to regional integration and community building.”

AIPA, the legislative body representing the will and interests of more than 650 million people in Southeast Asia, plays a critical role in realising a truly people-oriented and people-centered ASEAN, continued Samdech Heng Samrin, underlining that AIPA can help build the ASEAN community through legal development and harmonisation, oversight over the governments, and budgeting to further align national policy and action plans with those of ASEAN.

On the occasion, three outstanding figures, including Honorable Kittisagahabindit Khuon Sudary, Vice President of the National Assembly of Cambodia, and Chairwoman of the Meeting of Women Parliamentarian of AIPA; Honorable Rose Marie J, Arenas, Former Speaker of the Republic of the Philippines; and Honorable Pehin Orang Kaya Serilela Dato Seri stia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Dato Setia Haji Mohammed Taib, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Brunei Darussalam, were presented with the AIPA Distinguished Service Award in recognition of their valuable service, excellent contribution, and tireless efforts in pursuing the goals and objectives of AIPA.

The 44th AIPA General Assembly will take place in Indonesia in 2023.

 

 

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press