The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) should further support ASEAN member states in implementing the post-2015 ASEAN Community Vision and make national policies to promote sustainable development, a senior Vietnamese legislator has said.

Vice Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Huynh Ngoc Son made the statement while attending the first plenary session of the 36th AIPA General Assembly in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Tuesday, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

He also called on the governments of ASEAN member states to fulfill the mission of building key pillars for the ASEAN Community.

ASEAN is short for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

AIPA members should promote their role as representative offices for the will and aspiration of the people in each country to reinforce solidarity and determine a deeper integration road map for the bloc in the future, Son said.

Over the past few years, the AIPA has boosted cooperation among parliamentary members and with ASEAN in implementing the target of building the ASEAN Community on three key pillars: security-politics, economic affairs, and culture-society, the Vietnamese legislator said, adding that the close coordination between a government and its parliament plays a crucial role in the field.

Lawmakers are responsible for fine-tuning legal frameworks to strengthen regional connections and support the governments of ASEAN member nations to successfully implement the ASEAN Community Vision of peace, stability and prosperity, Son said. He also expressed the region’s deep concerns over emerging challenges such as the recent bombing in Bangkok, the immigration crisis in Southeast Asia, and escalating tensions in the East Vietnam Sea. Vietnam believes that the ASEAN Community will continue leveraging its strength and doubling its effort to complete the remaining tasks and balance the interests of each country with that of ASEAN for the common goal of the community, Son said.

He added Vietnam agrees with the theme “Engaging a People-Oriented, People-Centered ASEAN Community towards Inclusiveness” and the agenda of the 36th AIPA General Assembly.