A delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA), led by Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong, pose for a photo at the 28th Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum Annual Meeting (APPF-28) in Canberra, Australia. (Photo: VNA)Canberra (VNA) – A delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) led by its Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong hasbeen attending activities within the framework of the 28th Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum Annual Meeting (APPF-28) in Canberra, Australia, from January 13-16.
Themed“Parliamentary partnerships to 2020 and beyond,” this year’s meeting hasgathered delegations from 19 APPF member parliaments and 10 observer parliaments. It consists of a woman parliamentarians meetingand three plenary sessions on political and security matters, economic andtrade issues, and regionalcooperation.
Addressing theopening ceremony on January 13, Cambodian NA President Samdech Heng Samrin,President of APPF-27,highlighted the outcomes of APPF-27 hosted by Cambodia in Siem Reap last year, which has contributed todeveloping parliamentary diplomacy; building trust; promoting peace, stabilityand security; and fostering an open, free and fair trade system inAsia-Pacific.
The forum hasalso promoted efforts torespond to climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emission, heighten women’srole, improve gender equality and empower women and children for peace andsustainable development in the region, he said.
Speaker of theAustralian House of Representatives Tony Smith, who is President of APPF-28, underlined the importance of the forum toregional and global peace, security, trade and investment, particularly in thewake of multiple security challenges, such as terrorism, extremism, cyber security issues andother non-traditional security matters.
He noted thatthe APPF-28 forms part of theAustralian Parliament’s International Programme, which helps to promoteunderstanding, sharing of knowledge and democratic develoment with other fellowparliaments around the world.
A minute’ssilence was also held at the opening in memory of former Japanese PrimeMinister Yasuhiro Nakasone, who was one of the event’s founders and died in late 2019.
NA ViceChairwoman Tong Thi Phong will deliver a speech at the first plenary session onpolitical and security matters and hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines ofthe meeting on January 14./.
VNA
