Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President To Lam has sent a message to the ongoing 45th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-45) in Laos, pushing for strengthening cooperation and connectivity for mutual interests.

The Vietnamese leader issued the message to the AIPA-45 opening session in Vientiane on Saturday.

The event saw delegations from member parliaments, observers, and development partners of AIPA, including a Vietnamese entourage led by National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man.

Praising the event’s theme, ‘The Role of Parliaments in Enhancing Connectivity and Inclusive Growth of ASEAN,’ Lam remarked that AIPA, as a legislative and oversight body, has played a vital role in building a united and cohesive ASEAN Community.

This has contributed to peace, cooperation, and prosperous development, benefiting people across the region for nearly 50 years.

Lam underlined that ASEAN is at a critical stage in its community-building efforts, calling for stronger connections and mutual support between AIPA and ASEAN.

He stressed that ASEAN cooperation is key to promoting inter-parliamentary collaboration and supporting diplomacy within the bloc and with its partners.

In this process, AIPA should bring into play its role as a crucial bridge between the peoples and governments in ASEAN, thereby enhancing the harmonization of laws, removing institutional barriers, and facilitating investment and business cooperation among regional countries, the Vietnam Government Portal (VGP) cited the Vietnamese leader.

AIPA should also help build a rules-based regional order, strengthen the internal capacity of each member state, and maintain unity, solidarity, and cooperation among its members, Lam said. 

He urged AIPA to increase intra-regional economic connectivity, make the best use of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, enhance ASEAN competitiveness, and effectively respond to non-traditional security challenges for the sake of sustainable and inclusive development in the region, VGP reported.

Lam affirmed that the Vietnamese NA would continue participating proactively, positively, and responsibly in AIPA activities, contributing to the construction of a united, strong, and prosperous ASEAN Community.

The Vietnamese leader expressed confidence that AIPA-45, chaired by Laotian National Assembly Chairman Saysomphone Phomvihane, would be a resounding success.

In his remarks at the opening session, Phomvihane viewed AIPA as a platform for discussing strategic directions to achieve the shared goals of AIPA and ASEAN.

AIPA-45, scheduled for October 17-23, is being held against a backdrop of complex and unpredictable global and regional challenges, including ongoing conflicts, the effects of climate change, natural disasters, and economic and financial crises, Phomvihane noted.

In such a context, cooperation and connectivity have continued to be highly valued and become a prominent trend in relations among countries, Phomvihane commented.

As a legislative body representing the will and aspirations of the people in ASEAN member states, AIPA is fulfilling its core mission of supporting the bloc in achieving common goals and delivering practical benefits, said the chair of AIPA-45.

Speaking at the event, NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on AIPA to strengthen its efforts in promoting solidarity, cooperation, and unity in diversity with ASEAN.

He insisted on upholding ASEAN's spirit of independence, self-reliance, and strategic autonomy, while also advocating for compliance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

AIPA should also boost cooperation between ASEAN countries in preventing natural disasters, responding to climate change, creating harmony between development and environmental protection, and ensuring food security and water source safety, Man advised.

The top Vietnamese legislator also urged AIPA to play a greater role in advancing digital transformation, green initiatives, energy transition, innovation, and startups across ASEAN countries.

These efforts, he said, would help create new, sustainable growth drivers for the entire region.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam!