President of the National Assembly (NA) of Cambodia Heng Samrin, chairman of the 43rd ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), said that ASEAN and other countries in the world are facing ever more complicated issues.
He added that parliamentary diplomacy is increasingly important in devising multilateral approaches to address these issues. It must be based on the common values of AIPA, as stipulated in the statute, including upholding human rights, democracy, peace, security and prosperity in the region.
Samrin made the remarks while leading representatives of AIPA to a meeting with the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface, led by ASEAN Chair Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Sokha Hotel in Phnom Penh on November 10.
In a social media post, the NA said the face-to-face meeting between the ASEAN legislative and executive branches was one of the milestones of the ASEAN summit. It was an opportunity for AIPA to learn about common experiences, update cooperation and plan exchange visits, all associated with a common direction – the prosperity of ASEAN’s people.
Samrin added that AIPA had given full support to the theme chosen for the 2023 ASEAN summit: “ASEAN ACT: Addressing Challenges Together”. The theme is important and in line with the developing and rapidly changing world of today, he said.
He added that the AIPA General Assembly is set to take place later this month, with the theme “Walk together for a sustainable, inclusive and resilient ASEAN region”. The theme focuses on post-Covid-19 socio-economic recovery and strengthened multilateralism to guarantee peace and security in the region.
The post announced that as chair of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly in 2022, the NA was due to host the 43st AIPA General Assembly on November 20-25, after the 40th and 41st ASEAN summits and related meetings.
Samrin continued that he expected the new dialogue and consultation to yield good results, ensuring that the unity and centrality of ASEAN will be maintained.
“We can work together to drive recovery from this pandemic – and make the recovery stronger. We are strengthening the foundation needed for a resilient and prosperous ASEAN community,” he concluded.
