At the meeting, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand and AIPA President Chuan Leekpai presented the AIPA’s message, affirming that the people-centred and people-oriented ASEAN Community needs to rely on the joint efforts to push for social equality and law-governed states. During such process, parliamentarians of the AIPA member countries play a vital role in connecting the people and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The message highlighted a series of urgent issues and concerns of the AIPA parliaments, including climate change and environment; development gaps; terrorism and extremist violence; gender equality and women empowerment; human and drug trafficking; the fourth industrial revolution; and the Code of Conduct in the East Sea, marine security, water security, food security and energy security, among others.
The message recommended the AIPA and ASEAN restructure their partnership to better deal with challenges and bring benefits to the regional people.
At the meeting, ASEAN leaders praised the AIPA’s contributions to cooperation with the ASEAN in overcoming difficulties and challenges, maintaining inner solidarity and unity, and boosting collaboration with international partners.
They agreed with the message delivered by the AIPA President and highlighted the AIPA’s important role in the process of building the ASEAN Community and implementing its 2025 Vision on all three pillars for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
