National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (second left) shakes hand with Cambodia Prime Minister Samdech Techno Hun Sen at the opening ceremony of the AIPA-43.  --Photo VNA/VNS

43rd General Assembly of Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly opens with focus on cooperation

PHNOM PENH (Vietnam News/ANN) -- National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vương Dinh Hue on Monday attended the opening ceremony of the 43rd General Assembly of the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-43).
The meeting opened in Phnom Penh, Cambodia with the theme “Advancing together for sustainable, inclusive and resilient Asean”.
AIPA-43 returns to an in-person format after two consecutive sessions held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a message to the session, the King of Cambodia Norodom Shihamoni said that for Asean, the spirit of “advancing together” had always been key to the region’s joint efforts to preserve peace over the past two decades.
Consolidated by strong regional and inter-regional cooperation, the peace that Asean cherishes has created enormous socio-economic opportunities for the region’s people. The 43rd AIPA General Assembly demonstrated the spirit of solidarity and commitment to overcome challenges to achieve a more peaceful and prosperous future for the region, he said in the message.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, President of the Cambodian Senate Samdech Say Chhum emphasised that as Asean nations look to the future together, their collective will would be stronger, though only cohesive actions could direct the region through its diverse challenges.
The 43rd AIPA General Assembly’s theme highlighted the need to act together in the spirit of Asean solidarity to tackle all the common challenges.
The parliamentary partnership needs to be strengthened so that the nations realise an Asean Community that could benefit all the peoples for future generations, he said. Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techno Hun Sen expressed his pleasure that over the past three years, the Asean had cooperated to successfully control the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the world is still facing many difficulties and challenges including geopolitical competition, war, trade and economic competition, climate change and natural disasters. These developments threaten people’s lives and global security and increase pressure from inflation, and food and energy crises.
The Cambodian PM said that the AIPA-43 contributed to enhancing the common sense of responsibility in responding to changes in the region and the world, and promoting socio-economy towards a prosperous Asean.
As the Asean Chair this year, he said, Cambodia was honoured to help the Asean solve issues in the region, and achieved many remarkable achievements to promote the Asean community.
He added that the Asean had been giving priority to human resource development, reforming education and vocational training to suit technology development, and enhancing the role of women and youth in promoting economic growth after COVID-19. Also in the opening session, the President of the Cambodian National Assembly and also the President of the AIPA-43 Samdech Heng Samrin said that the AIPA-43 offered an opportunity not only to strengthen regional cooperation, enhance mutual understanding and trust but also to find possible innovative solutions for the region’s common challenges.
Parliament members should make efforts to ensure that their recovery is comprehensive so that no one is left behind.
Samdech Heng Samrin said that joint efforts were needed to build a sustainable Asean, to promote climate resilience, clean energy transition and renewable energy, green investment, green finance and equity.
Legislatures must play an important role in promoting new models of development that balance environmental protection and economic growth.

(Latest Update November 22, 2022)