Siem Reap (VNA) – Chairwomanof the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan has called on member parliamentsof the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) to continue with theircomprehensive and close cooperation in all spheres to ensure the effectiveoperation of the forum.

Ngan, who is Chair of the 26th APPF Annual Meeting (APPF-26), madethe appeal while addressing the 27th APPF Annual Meeting (APPF-27)that opened in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on January 15.

The APPF should further reform its organisation and enhance coordination andrelations between legislative and executive channels of each regional country,she said.

The Vietnamese top legislator stressed that the Hanoi Declaration adopted atthe APPF-26 marked the 25-year development of the forum and opened up a newvision for parliamentary ties in Asia-Pacific by 2030.

The document highlights efforts in accelerating trade liberalisation, narrowingdevelopment gaps between APPF member countries and promoting the implementationof international development commitments, especially the Millennium DevelopmentGoals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), she added.

APPF has successfully strengthened its partnership with the Asia-PacificEconomic Cooperation (APEC) in an effort to materialise the wish of people inAsia-Pacific for a region of peace and development, reflecting a trend of theparliamentary diplomacy in a new development period, Ngan noted.

The APPF-27 is taking place amidst complex developments of the global andregional situations, with such issues as trade tension, protectionism,unsettled “hot spots,” terrorism, cyber security, religious, racial andterritorial conflicts, cross-border crimes, climate change, natural disasters,and diseases.

These issues have posed serious challenges to regional stability, peace andsecurity, as well as sustainable development of nations and people’s livingstandards.

However, she said, the Asia-Pacific region has still maintained its growth paceand served as the driver of the global economy and the core factor in expandingmulti-layer connectivity and enhancing partnership for the targets of peace,cooperation and sustainable development.

Pursuing the targets of independence, self-reliance, dialogue and cooperationon the basis of international law and the United Nations Charter is the basicfoundation to maintain peace, security and development, Ngan emphasised.

Within the framework of the APPF-27, President of the Cambodian NationalAssembly Heng Samrin hosted a reception for representatives of delegations tothe event.

Vice Chairman of the Vietnamese NA Uong Chu Luu attended the meeting.-VNA