Opening Ceremony of the 5th AIPA Consultative Group Meeting in Vietnam

On the afternoon of May 12th, in Da Lat city, Lam Dong province, the 5th Conference of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly Caucus (AIPA Caucus 5) was inaugurated with the participation of over 60 delegates from 9 AIPA member parliaments, the AIPA Secretariat, the ASEAN Secretariat, and several international organizations.

Heads of delegations attending the conference pose for a group photo. (Photo: Dang Tuan/VNA)

Vietnamese National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong and ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh attended the opening session.

In her opening remarks, National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong stated that the 5th AIPA Consultative Group Meeting is a forum for AIPA parliamentarians to review the implementation results of resolutions adopted at the 33rd AIPA General Assembly, and to discuss two important regional and global areas: green growth and poverty reduction for sustainable development. Within the framework of the meeting, delegates will also discuss and propose the possibility of harmonizing regional laws related to these issues.

Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Tong Thi Phong affirmed that the presence of delegates attending the conference brought to the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Vietnamese people feelings of respect and affection, further enhancing understanding and concern for Vietnam. Vietnam also wished to express its responsibility to the ASEAN community, contributing to the common goal of peace, cooperation, and development.

Sharing his thoughts on AIPA Caucus 5, ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh affirmed the common desire of ASEAN countries to improve the quality of life for 600 million people in the ASEAN community, while maintaining the ecosystems and natural environments in which we live; this requires the cooperation of all stakeholders.

The ASEAN Secretary-General expressed confidence that this AIPA Caucus meeting will contribute to strengthening relevant legislative and policy initiatives in the region, as well as sharing best practices and outcomes in the areas of green growth and poverty reduction.

The AIPA Caucus Conference is one of the important activities within the AIPA framework. This is a rotating conference held among AIPA member countries to create a forum for regular exchange among member countries, special observers, and between AIPA and ASEAN. The AIPA Caucus has two main tasks: to assist the Executive Board in monitoring the implementation of AIPA General Assembly resolutions in member countries, and to serve as a forum for exchanging views among parliamentarians on current issues and common concerns in the region.

Prior to this conference, the AIPA Caucus meetings from 1-4 were held in Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Thailand, respectively.

The 5th AIPA Caucus, with its five official sessions, will take place over two days, May 12th and 13th. At the closing session, the conference will adopt the report of the 5th AIPA Caucus and determine the time and location for the next AIPA Caucus meeting.

Later that evening, at the Saigon-Da Lat Hotel, where the 5th AIPA Caucus 5 meeting was taking place, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Tong Thi Phong held a courtesy meeting with the heads of delegations from countries and international organizations attending AIPA Caucus 5.

On behalf of the Vietnamese National Assembly, Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong welcomed the parliamentarians from AIPA member countries, the ASEAN Secretary-General, experts, and all delegates attending the 5th AIPA Caucus.

The Vice Chairman of the National Assembly expressed confidence that this conference would receive effective and responsible contributions from delegates, proposing practical recommendations for the upcoming 34th AIPA General Assembly to consider and decide upon.

According to (VNA) - LT