In light of the fact the Vietnamese National Assembly will host the 31st ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Association (AIPA) General Assembly in Ha Noi from September 20-24, National Assembly Chairman Prof Dr Nguyen Phu Trong has written an article entitled "AIPA-31 General Assembly: a new development in inter-parliamentary co-operation among Southeast Asian nations". Hereunder is the article.
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Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Phu Trong |
As the President of the ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Association (AIPA) during the 2009-10 period starting from September 20, 2010, the National Assembly will chair the AIPA-31 General Assembly in Ha Noi. This is not only the most significant diplomatic event of the 12th National Assembly in 2010 when the it acted as AIPA member in a rotating mechanism but also an opportunity for it to optimise its role in the inter-parliamentary co-operation channel in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, the AIPA – 31 General Assembly is also considered as an illustrative model for the implementation of our foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, co-operation and development; a foreign policy of openness and diversification and multilateralisation of international relations initiated by the Party and State. This event is also an opportunity for Viet Nam to promote the country's image and introduce the dynamism, friendliness and openness of the Vietnamese people.
On September 2, 1977 (33 years ago), amidst the changing context and the desire for development of exchange activities and co-operation in the region, the ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Organisation (AIPO) was established. It started originally with five founding members, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. AIPO has ever since grown and developed with the subsequent membership of Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia and most recently, Brunei has become the 9th member in the AIPA – 30 held in Thailand. Myanmar still remains as a special observer. Besides, AIPO also has developed partnership with the parliaments in China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Canada and Europe; played a role as the focal-point organisation for parliaments of Southeast Asian nations, and as an information channel and forum for these parliaments to co-operate and address the issues of peace, security and development in the region. Thanks to AIPO and AIPA activities, parliamentarians from regional countries have more opportunities to meet and share information as well as experience which help to increase friendship and mutual trust.
In the course of development, AIPO has been ceaselessly looking for solutions in order to increase the effectiveness of its operation, and playing an active role in contributing to the regional co-operation and connectivity. AIPO changed its name to the ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Association (AIPA) in 2007 as a way to increase its effectiveness as well as to amend and complement some regulations for clearer identification of the power and duty of the General Assembly in creating initiatives and decisions over common legislative policies; a clearer role for the Executive Committee in preparation of issues to submit to the General Assembly; the consolidation of the AIPA Secretariat by the designation of the General Secretary tenure and specia-lised Secretariat headquartered in Jakarta to ensure synchronisation and scope for AIPA. Moreover, AIPA is also strengthening the monitoring of the implementation of resolutions issued in accordance with annual reports to AIPA General Assembly.
In fact, the inception and development of AIPO, now known as AIPA, has contributed significantly to the bolstering of solidarity, mutual understanding and co-operation among regional nations and improved the image and prestige of AIPA in the international arena. The goal of building a peaceful, sustainable and developed Asia is an objective demand of every nation. Together with ASEAN, AIPA has played an active role in strengthening mutual understanding, trust among peoples from different states; considerably supported governments in effectively handling international affairs; preserved national identity; and enhanced capacity for parliaments of member states. Furthermore, in the current complex economic and political context, AIPA has been working with regional countries to address the challenges posed by the global financial crisis and ensure sustainable development and regional security; bridge development gaps among nations; ensure sustainable environment and fight transnational crime.
In order to address the above-mentioned issues, a close co-operation of parliaments and governments in ASEAN is becoming increasingly important. From an AIPA perspective, it is necessary to be active in addressing regional issues, enhance solidarity, stay active in creating an appropriate legal framework, implement internal connectivity initiatives (particularly economic co-operation in ASEAN), support and assist governments with a high level of feasibility to achieve goals set by ASEAN. Being a representative organisation for the people in the region, AIPA has played an indispensable part in the common co-operation mechanism of ASEAN towards building the ASEAN community in 2015.
In the implementation of the foreign policy of openness and diversification and multilateralisation of international relations, the National Assembly joined AIPO in 1995. This was an historic event, marking a new development in the relationship between the Viet Nam's National Assembly and AIPO. Being a member of AIPO, which is now known as AIPA, the National Assembly has always participated fully in the General Assembly terms of office, working sessions of the specialised committees and other activities of AIPA and actively implemented the action programmes and resolutions of AIPA. The National Assembly has proposed valuable initiatives which reflect the common concerns of the region and the world to strengthen the solidarity and power of AIPA and to attain the support and strong appreciation of member countries. The active and responsible participation of the National Assembly within the AIPA framework is also presented through the successful organisation of AIPO/AIPA activities, especially the fulfillment of AIPO presidency in the 2001-02 period and the successful hosting of the AIPO-23 General Assembly in September 2002.
Participating actively in AIPO/AIPA activities, Viet Nam has gained a lot of experience and benefited greatly. Since the beginning, the National Assembly has contributed to the successful implementation of an open foreign policy in a period of integration which creates a favourable political environment for the success of national reforms. AIPO/AIPA is truly an important forum for Viet Nam to express her own opinions and ideas regarding issues of concern in the region and the world, through which it helps to defend national interests. The inter-parliamentary co-operation mechanism of AIPA also solidifies friendship, mutual understanding and trust between National Assembly deputies and parliamentarians from other countries, as well as between Viet Nam and other regional states at large. The accession of the National Assembly to AIPA has provided opportunities and conditions for the sharing, promotion and explanation for relevant issues in Viet Nam, overcoming prejudices and differences among political paradigms to create friendliness, openness, understanding and trust.
By participating directly in AIPA activities, National Assembly deputies have more opportunities to share information and experience on lawmaking, monitoring parliamentary activities, raising knowledge and improving skills on organising international co-operative activities to support deputies in doing their jobs. AIPA activities have enabled us to promote the image of Viet Nam, introduced the characteristics of the country, people and culture to regional and international friends.
Taking AIPA's Presidency tenure in 2009-10 is an important responsibility as it is meaningful to the development of ASEAN. This is a crucial year for ASEAN since the ASEAN Charter came into effect at the end of 2008 with efforts to establish an ASEAN community based on the three pillars of ASEAN Security Community (ASC), ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and ASEAN Socio-cultural Community (ASCC) by 2015.
During its 2009-10 tenure, the National Assembly has successfully hosted various events such as the AIPA specialised workshop on female parliamentarians' role in the legislative process (December 2009); the designation of new AIPA General Secretary (February 2010); the conference on post economic-financial crisis and sustainable development (March 2010), the prevention of illegal drugs (April 2010); and at the beginning of September 2010, the National Assembly participated in the consultative meeting of parliamentary speakers from G20 countries in Canada to represent AIPA's populace and regional parliaments to discuss important issues in the world. Specifically, we have initiated a formal meeting among AIPA parliaments and ASEAN state leaders under the framework of the 16th ASEAN Summit in Viet Nam in April 2010.
This event marks an important development for better co-operation between AIPA and ASEAN in dealing with regional and international issues. This is certainly one of the important agenda items in the 31st General Assembly aiming to identify solutions and concrete steps to boost cooperation.
With the theme "Solidarity for Sustainable Development of the ASEAN Community", the AIPA-31 General Assembly will be focusing on dialogues on regional peace and security which help to realise the ASEAN Charter; addressing non-traditional security issues such as terrorism, trans-national crime, climate change, disasters, diseases adversely affecting member countries; social issues such as gender inequality, ensurance of children's rights, preservation of national identity, proposing realistic resolutions to overcome the negative impacts of the ongoing financial crisis, sustainable development, fostering co-operation between AIPA and ASEAN; promoting internal connectivity; enhancing co-operation with AIPA partners and continuing discussions on improving AIPA effectiveness. Thanks to the thorough preparation of the host country, the AIPA-31 General Assembly will surely bring inter-parliamentary regional co-operation to new heights.
The solemn opening ceremony of AIPA-31 General Assembly coincides with the 15th anniversary of the National Assembly becoming an official member of AIPO/AIPA. The consistent foreign policy of the State and Party of Viet Nam which prioritises partnership among nations has been implemented effectively and successfully. The policy enables Viet Nam to enter a close association with other nations as well as to increase its credibility in ASEAN. It reflects our expectations and demands for co-operation and development with ASEAN people – the trend of our era.
It is an honour for Viet Nam in general and the Vietnamese people in particular to chair the AIPA-31 and host the AIPA General Assembly while the country is preparing to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Ha Noi. Particularly, as ASEAN chair and AIPA president in 2010, Viet Nam will effect the conditions to further strengthen the links between ASEAN and AIPA. Therefore, we strongly hope and believe that the AIPA-31 General Assembly will achieve good results and make proposals for meaningful policies to enhance the relationship among parliaments of member countries, reach a consensus on peace, security, socio-economic issues in the region and the world, bring inter-parliamentary cooperation to a new high and build the ASEAN Community by 2015 successfully. In so doing, AIPA-31 will help to leave a deep impression on international friends about a peaceful and stable Viet Nam which is rich in cultural values with friendly and open Vietnamese people; a dynamic and innovative National Assembly. — VNS
