The predecessor of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Association (AIPA) was AIPO- the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organization-founded in 1977. This is a forum for ASEAN legislators to discuss and find solutions for regional issues, to promote cooperation, to share information and legislative experience, and to help members achieve common goals. Over the past 30 years, AIPA’s 10 members and 12 observers have contributed to making Southeast Asia a region of peace, stability, cooperation and sustainable development. AIPA has become an important support mechanism of ASEAN at all levels and for its 3 pillars of Security-Politics, Economics, and Culture-Society.

Attending the 35^th General Assembly of AIPA in Laos are 400 delegates from the 10 ASEAN members and the observer countries of Australia, Belarus, China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea,  Russia, and Timor Leste.

An important channel for establishing an ASEAN Community by 2015

Under the theme “Strengthening parliamentary cooperation in ASEAN Community building”, AIPA-35 will discuss an AIPA-ASEAN report on the 24^th ASEAN Summit and a Resolution on Adoption of the Report of the 6^th AIPA Conference and Parliamentary Cooperation in building a politically secured ASEAN Community. High on the agenda will be sustainable green growth, narrowing development gaps in the region, preventing and controlling illegal drug, and strengthening parliamentary cooperation in Ebola epidemic response.

The delegates will also discuss ways to enhance the role of female parliamentarians in building an ASEAN Community and promote efforts to combat discriminations and violence against women and children.

13 resolutions on organization issues including a Resolution on the Revisions of the Establishment of the AIPA Secretariat and a Resolution on the Revisions of AIPA regulations will be discussed at the event. The delegates will also comment on new approaches to cooperation and relations between parliaments of AIPA members and observers.

Vietnam joins AIPA in building a prosperous ASEAN Community

Since officially joining AIPA in 1995, Vietnam has proactively participated in the organization’s activities and contributed to sessions of the AIPA General Assembly. Vietnam successfully organized AIPA-23 and AIPA 31, as well as specialized, committee-level conferences including a conference called “Post-financial crisis of the world economy and sustainable growth” in 2010, a conference on “The role of the legislative body in the financial crisis” in 1998, and one on “Implementing research projects on legal cooperation in women and children trafficking prevention and control” in 2005. Vietnam’s initiatives have been praised by other AIPA members. Vietnam has contributed to enhancing friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding within AIPA and improving its position and performance. The Vietnamese National Assembly has issued a number of policies laws to implement resolutions adopted at AIPA assemblies.

The Vietnamese delegation led by National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung will attend all activities of AIPA-35. The attendance of Chairman Hung and the Heads of National Assembly Commissions shows Vietnam’s dynamism and responsibility in building an ASEAN Community of peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity.

With regard to responsibly integrating into the world, Vietnam continues to strengthen unity, friendship and cooperation with other countries toward building an ASEAN Community by 2015 and an ASEAN Vision post 2015.

AIPA-35 is expected to strengthen connections between the parliaments of ASEAN members and advance the building of an ASEAN Community of peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity.