Bangkok (VNA) – Senior ASEAN leadersmet with representatives of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA),ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) and ASEAN Youth in Bangkok on June22 on the occasion of the 34th ASEAN Summit.

AIPA President Chuan Leekpai highlightedthe significance of ASEAN-AIPA cooperation on all three pillars of the ASEANCommunity, namely politics-security, economy, and society-culture.

He underlined the importance of maintaining thecentral and unified position of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)in the regional architecture as well as the demand for stronger cooperation tocope with traditional and non-traditional security challenges.

The AIPA President also affirmed the importanceof maritime security in the region and support for cooperation and constructivedialogues in the field.

The ASEAN should prepare to seize opportunitiesand handle challenges from the Fourth Industrial Revolution while promotingregional economic cooperation, increasing competitiveness, narrowingdevelopment gaps, and promoting a green ASEAN, especially doubling efforts toreach the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), he said.

The AIPA wants to step up the implementation ofASEAN conventions on the prevention of human trafficking, especially of womenand children, including the Bohol Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Work Plan,and ASEAN Consensus on the protection and promotion of the rights ofmigrant workers, he added.

The ASEAN leaders welcomed the AIPA’s recommendationson promoting cooperation in climate change adaptation, environmentalprotection, counterterrorism, gender equality, preparation for the FourthIndustrial Revolution, maritime security and safety, and cultural heritage sitepreservation with a view to build a strong, united ASEAN Community.

While meeting with ASEAN young people, the ASEANleaders listen to the opinions of young generations on high-quality education,environmental protection, and inclusive development. 

The young people suggested creating moreopportunities for start-ups and young entrepreneurs as well as increasevocational training and participation of young people in the decision-makingprocess.

At the meeting with representatives of theASEAN-BAC, the ASEAN leaders took note of the council’s recommendations onmaking use of digital technology and increasing capacity for small-andmedium-sized enterprises (SMEs) besides facilitating trade, digital tradeconnectivity, liberalisation of financial services, development of smartcities, agriculture, tourism, young businesses and women-owned enterprises.

They said the governments of the ASEAN countrieswill push ahead with the building of the ASEAN Economic Community andincreasing regional integration and connectivity as well as reformadministrative procedures and devise policies to support SMEs in the digitalera.-VNA