Participants approved the heads of AIPA member delegations as vice presidents of AIPA-41.
In their speeches, heads of AIPA member delegations recognised the leadership of National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Chair of AIPA 41 and the dedication and steadfast commitment of the National Assembly of Vietnam in making it possible to convene the 41st AIPA General Assembly this year albeit virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
They also recalled the challenges facing ASEAN member countries, which have been brought about by the pandemic, while stressing coordination within ASEAN to overcome the challenges posed by COVID-19.
Vice Chairperson of the Vietnamese National Assembly Tong Thi Phong, who headed the Vietnamese delegation at the AIPA 41 General Assembly, said given the adverse impacts of the pandemic, ASEAN and AIPA are evidence of the spirit of solidarity and mutual assistance to overcome all difficulties. The organisation of the AIPA 41 General Assembly has clearly illustrated the efforts of AIPA member parliaments and the Secretariat as well as that of support parliaments of the AIPA observing countries.
She voiced her support for the theme of AIPA 41 “Parliamentary Diplomacy for a Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN Community”, and said the Vietnam National Assembly applauds ASEAN’s initiatives in 2020 in order to maintain an environment of peace, security and stability in the region, promote regional connectivity, take advantage of opportunities brought about by the fourth Industrial Revolution, and promote awareness within the ASEAN community and identity as well as acting as a partnership for peace and sustainable development.
Vietnam also supports ASEAN cooperation efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, she added.
She added that AIPA and its member parliaments should stay united to overcome the challenges brought by the pandemic in all fields, including universal health coverage, the health emergency response network, environment protection, biodiversity and waste management.
She emphasised cooperation to develop a vaccine against COVID-19 as one of the most immediate tasks.
At the session, participants adopted the AIPA-41 General Assembly’s operations programme, its agenda, dialogue theme in relation to observing countries and planned compositions of committees.
