Addressing the function, Standing Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam NationalAssembly Tong Thi Phong, who heads the committee, highlighted the APPF-26 asthe first important politic and diplomatic activity of the Party and State in2018.
She called on the committee’s members to carry forward contents discussed atthe Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) events to materialise commitmentsmade by APEC leaders, turning words into actions and contributing to peace,stability and prosperity in the region.
Monthly specific plans should be rolled out on the basis of political projectsand tasks of ministries and agencies, she said, asking sub-committees topromptly work on plans to ensure security and safety of the forum whilelaunching information channels in order to make the best preparations.
The APPF was founded byformer Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone on March 15, 1993.
Bringing togetherparliamentarians from across the Asia-Pacific region, the forum aims todirectly assist the APEC, contributing to peace, stability and prosperity inthe region.
The APPF is a mechanism that enables parliamentarians to discuss issues ofcommon concern, and to deepen their understanding of the region and theinterests and experience of its diverse members. The forum’s proceedingsaddress political, security, economic, social and cultural issues, thusfurthering regional cooperation and building relations between and amongparliamentarians from the Asia-Pacific region.
A foundational document,the TokyoDeclaration signed by 59 parliamentarians from 15 countries, established the APPF’s objectives,principles, and structure.
Since joining the APPF, the Vietnam NA has always taken part in the forum’sactivities actively, which has been applauded by the international community.
The most noteworthy is Vietnam’s hosting of the 13th APPF in January2005 in Ha Long city, the northern province of Quang Ninh, and the APPF-26scheduled for 2018.
On August 30, 2017, the NA Standing Committee issued Resolution No.426/NQ-UBTVQH4 on the establishment of the 16-member organising committee ofthe APPF-26 headed by NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong.
The committee has beentasked with proposing topics of the forum, its agenda, draft resolutions andjoint declaration, and preparing for the participation of the Vietnamesedelegation at the event.
Besides, it will coordinate relevant ministries, agencies and localities in thepreparation and organisation of the event.
The committee will meet annually to hear reports on the preparation workpresented by APPF-26 sub-committees and the APPF -26 Secretariat.-VNA