Top Vietnamese leader sends message to AIPA-45

In his message, To Lam held that for the past nearly 50 years, AIPA, as a legislative and oversight body, has made significant contributions to the process of building a united and cohesive ASEAN Community, for peace, cooperation, and prosperous development, bringing interests to all people.

A progressive community will help ensure a favorable environment for the development of each member country, enhance ASEAN's international status, and affirm the bloc's central role in regional connectivity, especially in the context of the rapidly changing and complex regional and global situation, noted the Vietnamese leader.

"The bloc is entering a crucial phase in the process of building the ASEAN Community, with the completion of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and transitioning to the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. This is a moment for us to make significant strides toward a dynamic, self-reliant, and innovative ASEAN that puts people at the center", To Lam said.

In this process, AIPA plays a crucial bridging role between the people and the government, said the top leader, adding that it promotes the harmonization of laws, removes institutional barriers, and facilitates investment and business.

AIPA also helps build a rules-based regional order, enhance the internal capacity of each member state, and maintain unity and solidarity among its members.

Additionally, it works to increase intra-regional economic connectivity, leverage external resources, and take advantage of the benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution for development; enhance competitiveness and effectively respond to non-traditional security challenges for sustainable and inclusive development in the Southeast Asia.

To Lam spoke highly of the theme of the event "The Role of Parliaments in Enhancing Connectivity and Inclusive Growth of ASEAN", adding that it is necessary to strengthen connectivity and mutual support between AIPA and ASEAN, in which ASEAN cooperation serves as a crucial foundation for promoting inter-parliamentary collaboration. 

Meanwhile, AIPA cooperation should act as a driving force and create a favorable framework to effectively support state and government diplomacy among ASEAN member countries, as well as between ASEAN and its partners, suggested To Lam.

The Vietnamese National Assembly will actively and responsibly participate in the AIPA agenda, contributing to the construction of a united, strong, and prosperous ASEAN Community, he emphasized.

He expressed his belief that under the leadership of the Chair of AIPA-45, the close cooperation of the delegates, and the thorough preparations of the host country, AIPA-45 will be a great success./.