NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan speaks at the closing ceremony. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) - The 41st General Assembly of ASEANInter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-41) wrapped up in Hanoi via teleconference onSeptember 10 after three working days.
Duringthe event, the Stortinget (supreme legislature of Norway) and the Parliament ofMorocco were conferred a formal status of Observers of AIPA.
National Assembly Chairwoman NguyenThi Kim Ngan voiced her expectation that the relations of AIPA, AIPA memberparliaments and observing parliaments of AIPA would be further deepened.
Speaker of the House of Representatives of Morocco Habib El Malki expressed thewillingness of the Moroccan legislative body to contribute to and shareexperiences with AIPA member parliaments.
He said he hopes that the Moroccan parliament’s experiences with African, Arabian,Mediterranean, Latin American countries will be useful for AIPA.
President of the Norwegian Storting Tone Wilhelmsen Trøen said she felt a deephonour that the Norwegian parliament was selected as an AIPA observer as thisyear marks the fifth anniversary of ASEAN-Norway partnership.
At the closing ceremony, President of the Lao National Assembly PanyYathotou and First-Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Tong Thi Phong werepresented with awards for excellent contributions to the ASEANInter-Parliamentary Assembly.
They vowed to make morecontributions to the development of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi KimNgan said step ahead for AIPA to implement its guidelines and targets,including promoting solidarity, understanding and close cooperation betweenASEAN member countries’ parliaments and accompanying the governments in buildinga community for peace, stability and people’s interests.
She underlined traditional and non-traditional security challenges facing theregion and the world, saying that AIPA should enhance solidarity andparliamentary diplomacy, adhere to international law, the UN Charter and ASEANCharter in order to build a cohesive and responsive ASEAN Community.
She stressed that sustainable peace and security arefoundation for long-term and prosperous development. Therefore, AIPA has alwaysupheld the enhancement of partnership and dialogue with ASSEAN at various levels,she said, adding that AIPA supports ASEAN in signing the Regional ComprehensiveEconomic Partnership (RCEP) this year and welcomes the establishment of anASEAN fund for responding to COVID-19.
Theclosing ceremony ended with the transfer of the AIPA chairmanship to Brunei.
The Brunei Ambassador to Vietnam receives a hammer – the AIPA’s symbol – from AIPA 41 Chair Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (Photo: VNA)On behalf of the Speaker of the Brunei Legislative Council, the BruneiAmbassador to Vietnam received a hammer – the AIPA’s symbol – from AIPA 41Chair Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.
After the closing ceremony, a press conference announcing outcomes of AIPA 41was held under the chair of National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan,who is also the Chair of AIPA 41./.
VNA
