Top legislator highlights ASEAN solidarity, centrality at AIPA-43

Addressing the first plenary session of the 43rd General Assembly of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-43), which took place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on November 21, Vuong asked for enhancing the supervision role of parliaments in carrying out  ASEAN masterplans on the political, economic and socio-cultural pillars.

The top Vietnamese legislator called for support and coordination among ASEAN Member States in fostering economic growth, narrowing the development gap, improving people's living standards, responding to epidemics and climate change, protecting the environment, and ensuring energy and water security.

It is necessary to consolidate and renovate the organization and operation of AIPA and reinforce the coordination and relations between the legislative and executive channels of regional countries, particularly in taking advantage of opportunities and mitigating risks in such areas as digital transformation and just energy transition, he suggested.

Vuong called on ASEAN parliaments to promote gender equality and women empowerment as well as effectively implement policies and laws on gender and increase the voice and participation of women and youth at legislative and executive bodies.

He stressed the need to enhance public-awareness raising campaigns on AIPA and ASEAN, and the role of young parliamentarians.

The NA Chairman expected that parliaments of the AIPA member countries and partners will actively advocate Viet Nam to host the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians next year./.