Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah delivers a welcome speech at the event (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Member of the Legislative Council of Brunei Yang DatoPaduka Haji Sabtu underscored the instrumental role of the ASEAN Inter-ParliamentaryAssembly (AIPA) in realising digital inclusion in his speech delivered at the 42nd General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-42) viaa video conference on August 23.
Themed “Forging Parliamentary Cooperation in DigitalInclusion Towards ASEAN Community 2025”, the event was chaired by AIPAPresident and Speaker of the Legislative Council of Brunei Pehin Dato Abdul Rahman Taib.
He stressed that digital inclusion is a prime agendaacross ASEAN member states that takes challenges in order to fulfillconnectivity gaps in Internet access and affordability. In harmonisingregulation and standardising the policies across ASEAN, AIPA can be a soundingboard for ASEAN member states to align and assimilate strategies, policies,action plans, and roadmaps across all sectors while considering utilisingdigital technology as an effective enabling tool.
The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025called for the establishment of a coherent and comprehensive framework forpersonal data protection. Therefore, it is a role of AIPA member parliaments toensure cybersecurity in the region, in accordance with the domestic laws, policiesand regulations of ASEAN member states.
The ASEAN Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC)2016 - 2025 must be supported to avoid negative impact on micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) that could further hinder the growth of ASEAN economy. Therefore, AIPA member parliamentsshould encourage regional states to prioritise connectivity, regionalintegration and narrowing the development gap among ASEAN member states in acoordinated approach to achieve the objectives of the fourth Industrial Revolution and closer sectoral integration, he said.
He added that it is important for AIPA member parliamentsto collaborate and provide guidance within ASEAN in utilising availableresources towards integrating digital technology for climate resilience andadaptation.
According to him, sustainable development on achievinggender equality and empowering all women and girls are highlighted in Women ParliamentarianMeeting to emphasise the use of enabling technology, particularly informationand communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women. This is inline with the theme of Brunei Darussalam 2021 ASEAN Chairmanship “We Care, WePrepare, We Prosper” to ensure the well-being and livelihood of the people./.
