AIPA adopts resolutions to strengthen Asean community building
 
Some 28 resolutions have been adopted at the 42nd General Assembly of the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) which wrapped up on Wednesday.
The resolutions are linked to the capacity building of women entrepreneurs, cyber security, human security, parliamentary diplomacy, the promotion of SMEs, and post-pandemic economic recovery.
Other resolutions concern mitigation of the impacts of climate change and localising the sustainable development goals.

TheAIPA videocon-ference, which took place from August 23-25, also approved Georgia, Ukraine and Pakistan as observers of the AIPA.
 The conference took the theme “Forging Parliamentary Cooperation in Digital Inclusion towards ASEAN Community 2025”.
A message delivered from Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith at the conference reaffirmed Laos’ support for Asean cooperation frameworks to contain the spread of Covid-19 and revitalise the region’s economies.
 President Thongloun said in his message that the theme of the meeting highlighted the need for the AIPA to push for the 10-nation bloc to accomplish its goals as outlined in the Asean Community Vision to 2025.
 He also called for member countries to further implement the Asean digital master plan 2025 to modernise Asean community building and narrow development disparities among Asean member states.
The president said the AIPA provided an opportunity for Asean parliamentarians to exchange their views on various issues and discuss ways to strengthen cooperation for their mutual benefit.
National Assembly President Dr Xaysomphone Phomvihane led the Lao delegation attending the 3-day conference.
On Monday, Dr Xaysomphone called for the AIPA to strengthen cooperation in research and development, applying digital inclusion towards Asean Community building.
In his speech at the meeting, the Chairman of Vietnam’s National Assembly, Vuong Dinh Hue, said the theme of the conference emphasised the need to further build on the vital role of the AIPA and its Member Parliaments in accelerating digitalisation, ensuring stable growth, and fostering sustainable Asean economic recovery.
The Vietnamese leader urged AIPA Member Parliaments to complete the legal framework and remove barriers to facilitate the implementation of digital transformation policies in order to build digital e-governments.
In recent years, the world, including the Asean region, has faced enormous challenges because of the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in fatalities and disruptions to the regional supply chain.
In Laos, the Covid-19 outbreak has severely impacted economic growth and prevented many poor people from rising above poverty.
However, the epidemic is also a catalyst for Asean’s endeavours to accelerate economic digitalisation, effectively harness the 4th Industrial Revolution, narrow the digital gap, and ensure digital equality across the region.

By Times Reporters
  (Latest Update August 26, 2021)