Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh joined other ASEAN leaders in an interface with representatives of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in Kuala Lumpur on May 26, affirming Vietnam’s readiness to work together with AIPA to create a strong and prosperous ASEAN.

The dialogue took place as part of the 46th ASEAN Summit and related summits. Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Vu Hong Thanh represented the Vietnamese parliament in the event.

In his remarks, PM Chinh emphasised that in a turbulent world like it is today, ASEAN can firmly uphold its centrality, strengthen solidarity, and promote resilience only when all institutional levels of countries, from executive to legislative, take unified action for the shared interests of the region.

Voicing his support for this year’s AIPA theme, he called on AIPA to bring into play its “forefront” role in perfecting legal and institutional frameworks to implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. The assembly should build regulations and policies for promoting its role in innovation and technology, and for serving as a bridge linking with the people.

He also asked AIPA to further leverage its role to help maintain regional peace and stability by taking measures and actions that uphold international law, the United Nations Charter, and the ASEAN Charter, and making use of the dialogue mechanisms with partner parliaments to enhance mutual understanding and trust.

PM Chinh affirmed that “inclusivity and sustainability” are not only the choice of today’s generation but also reflects the sense of responsibility towards future ones.

Vietnam is ready to accompany AIPA in creating a strong and prosperous ASEAN where development leaves no one behind and cooperation is limitless, he stated.

At the event, AIPA member parliaments spoke highly of the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability” for ASEAN Year 2025, which demonstrates efforts in bringing about benefits for all and leave no one behind.

They applauded and affirmed the strong commitment to exerting efforts to carry out the Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future.

With the theme “Parliament at the Forefront for Inclusive Growth and a Sustainable ASEAN“, participants underlined the crucial role of inter-parliamentary cooperation in promoting regional integration and connectivity, and facilitating the engagement of and contributions by women and the youth.

They also affirmed the complementarity between sub-regional development and the ASEAN Community building process.

Member parliaments also expressed support for an open, inclusive, and rules-based multilateral trading system, the building of a common approach for the region, strengthened trade and investment cooperation, along with enhanced innovation and digital transformation for a competitive and ready-for-the-future ASEAN.

AIPA stressed the importance of ASEAN’s solidarity and centrality, appealing for fully implementing the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar, upholding international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and maintaining the East Sea as a sea of peace, stability, and cooperation.

🍒 AIPA parliaments also asked for stronger coordination to efficiently cope with non-traditional security challenges like climate change, food security, energy security, water resources security, and transnational crimes./.