Leaders and members of the parliaments of 10 AIPA member countries in a group photo at the opening ceremony (Photo: VNA)Bangkok (VNA) – The 40th GeneralAssembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 40) themed “AdvancingParliamentary Partnership for Sustainable Community” kicked off in Bangkok onAugust 26.
The event was attended by more than 1,000delegates who are leaders and members of the parliaments of 10 AIPA membercountries as well as observers and partners of the host country.
National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Nganled the Vietnamese delegation to the event.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Thai PrimeMinister Prayuth Chan-ocha said AIPA has been one of the closest partners ofASEAN over the past 40 years, representing the legislative sector to workclosely with the executive branch in the process of building the ASEANCommunity.
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha (Photo: VNA) It also plays a very important role in buildingand reinforcing the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community based on the people-centredapproach, he added.
He suggested participants share experience andknowledge, which will help ASEAN businesses and communities overcome challengesto settle such issues as human trafficking, cross-border crime, andenvironmental matters.
The PM highly appreciated all programmeslaunched under the framework of AIPA and hoped they will receive cooperationand support of all AIPA member countries.
He urged coordinating efforts to promotesustainable development in all fields in ASEAN.
The Chair of AIPA 40, Speaker of the Thai Houseof Representatives Chuan Leekpai, said as the legislature, parliaments ofcountries could defend against executive discrimination and preserve legalequality as well as drive back corruption matters from within the society.
Chair of AIPA 40, Speaker of the Thai House of Representatives Chuan Leekpai (Photo: VNA)
“A community that does not uphold rule of lawcannot have true equality”, he said.
He went on to say that the peoples of ASEAN arerich in culture and geography. That’s why no one definition of sustainablecommunity can apply across the board, he said.
He added that “Our ability to embrace diversity,respect them and still forge onward will create an ASEAN worthy of futuregenerations.”
Earlier the same day, heads of delegations ofAIPA member countries, including Vietnamese top legislator, paid a courtesyvisit to Chuan Leekpai.-VNA
He suggested participants share experience andknowledge, which will help ASEAN businesses and communities overcome challengesto settle such issues as human trafficking, cross-border crime, andenvironmental matters.
The PM highly appreciated all programmeslaunched under the framework of AIPA and hoped they will receive cooperationand support of all AIPA member countries.
He urged coordinating efforts to promotesustainable development in all fields in ASEAN.
The Chair of AIPA 40, Speaker of the Thai Houseof Representatives Chuan Leekpai, said as the legislature, parliaments ofcountries could defend against executive discrimination and preserve legalequality as well as drive back corruption matters from within the society.
Chair of AIPA 40, Speaker of the Thai House of Representatives Chuan Leekpai (Photo: VNA) “A community that does not uphold rule of lawcannot have true equality”, he said.
He went on to say that the peoples of ASEAN arerich in culture and geography. That’s why no one definition of sustainablecommunity can apply across the board, he said.
He added that “Our ability to embrace diversity,respect them and still forge onward will create an ASEAN worthy of futuregenerations.”
Earlier the same day, heads of delegations ofAIPA member countries, including Vietnamese top legislator, paid a courtesyvisit to Chuan Leekpai.-VNA
VNA
