National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vương Đình Huệ speaks at a recent meeting held to discuss preparations for Việt Nam's participation at the AIPA-42. —Photo quochoi.vn

HÀ NỘI — National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vương Đình Huệ will lead a Vietnamese NA delegation at the 42nd General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-42), which is scheduled to open in Brunei via videoconference format today.

Speaking at a press briefing last Friday, NA Standing Vice Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn said that the AIPA-42 theme of "Forging Parliamentary Cooperation in Digital Inclusion towards ASEAN Community 2025" shows the organisation’s determination and consensus on working with ASEAN to control COVID-19, overcoming difficulties for economic recovery, and reinforcing intra-bloc solidarity.

It will also implement the association’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, balance, maintaining its central role to complete goals set for ASEAN Community building and promoting the image of a responsible ASEAN that is willing to coordinate in responding to emerged issues, said Mẫn.

Mẫn said that during the upcoming AIPA-42, member parliaments will reaffirm efforts, together with ASEAN member countries, to enhance the responding capacity of each country and their mutual support in stamping out COVID-19.

With comprehensive and parallel approach to the pandemic control, ASEAN is strengthening measures within the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework, in which reform, renovation, digital transformation and growth model transformation are considered the leverage for the recovery of the association’s sustainable growth.

According to head of the NA Committee for External Relations Vũ Hải Hà, the 15-member delegation of Việt Nam will engage in major activities including the opening ceremony, the first and second plenary sessions, the meeting of the Women Parliamentarians of AIPA (WAIPA), meetings of AIPA committees, the signing of the joint statement and the closing ceremony.

President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc will send a message to the event, while NA Chairman Vương Đình Huệ will deliver a keynote speech at the first AIPA-42 plenary session.

Ha said member parliaments will discuss and adopt a procedure to organise AIPA Young Parliamentarians’ meetings, which is a specific step to realise Việt Nam’s initiative at the 41st AIPA General Assembly held in Việt Nam in 2020, creating favourable conditions for young parliamentarians to join AIPA activities.

NA General Secretary and Chairman of the NA Office Bùi Văn Cường said that the NA Office has will ensure security, safety and health for delegates to the AIPA-42 and reporters covering the event. — VNS