A performance at the AIPA 41 opening ceremony in Hanoi on September 8 (Photo: VNA) Singapore (VNA) - Former Secretary-General of the Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ong Keng Yong shared his views of the 41stGeneral Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 41) as well asthe role of host Vietnam in regional inter-parliamentary diplomacy.
According to the former ASEAN chief, this time’s general assembly could focuson enhancing AIPA’s structure to support ASEAN in its Community buildingprocess; and convincing their respective governments to strengthen the processof Community building and the ASEAN platforms already in place to implement theagenda of ASEAN.
Currently, AIPA and ASEAN only engage each other on informal platforms, hesaid.
He suggested the current Interface with ASEAN Leaders at the Summit should beheld regularly; one or two practical proposals from AIPA could be tabled for anexchange of views with the ASEAN Leaders each time the Interface takes place.
Besides, he said, the ASEAN-AIPA Dialogue at the AIPA General Assembly shouldalso be formalised and public awareness programmes can be instituted tooutreach the citizens in the respective ASEAN member states.
Sharing hisviews about the role of inter-parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening ASEAN'scohesion and responsiveness to deal with regional and international challenges,Ong said unlike the European Union (EU), where the European Parliament is thelegislative body that passes bills/laws, AIPA is not the legislative body ofASEAN.
As each ASEAN member state has its own process in passinginternational/regional commitments into national laws, the pace of ratificationof regional agreements among ASEAN member states often varied.
The former ASEAN chief held that AIPA could bridge this gap by facilitating andpushing ratification/implementation of regional agreements in the legislativebody of each ASEAN member state.
In the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the ASEAN Leaders have adoptedHanoi Plan of Action at their recent Summit, he said, adding AIPA may wish touse the forthcoming General Assembly to monitor and report on how each ASEANmember state has incorporated this Plan into their respective national laws;and to use the General Assembly for sharing best practices of ASEAN memberstates in handling COVID-19.
He spoke ofthe Vietnamese National Assembly’s initiatives introduced at this time’s eventsuch as unofficial Meeting of Young Parliamentarians.
He said he believes this is useful and relevant in bringing ASEAN closer toASEAN citizens, especially the younger generation.
Vietnam’s COVID-19 measures are useful learning experiences which the youngercitizens of other ASEAN member states can discuss and adapt when possible, heaffirmed.
The 41st General Assembly of the ASEANInter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-41) themed “Parliamentary diplomacy for acohesive and responsive ASEAN Community” is taking place virtually fromSeptember 8-10./.
VNA
