Bangkok (VNA) – The 40th GeneralAssembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) wrapped up in Bangkokon August 29.

Vietnam’s National Assembly Chairwoman NguyenThi Kim Ngan expressed her honour to receive the AIPA chairmanship for2019-2020 from Speaker of the Thai House of Representatives Chuan Leekpai.

She congratulated Chuan Leekpai, who is alsoChair of AIPA 40, and Thai parliamentarians on the successful organisation of theactivities within the framework of the AIPA 40, especially the GeneralAssembly.

Ngan said their efforts have helped furtherincrease the involvement of parliamentarians in reinforcing a peaceful andstable environment in Southeast Asia, as well as contributing to the buildingof a self-reliant, dynamic and sustainable ASEAN Community.

The ASEAN has overcome difficult periods tosteadfastly build a common community, she said, calling on AIPAparliamentarians to uphold the spirit of solidarity and maintain the centralrole of the regional grouping in addressing regional matters, abide byinternational law, implement preventive diplomatic measures, and cooperate fordevelopment.

The NA leader added that the AIPA will continuepromoting its role, legislative function, supervision, and decision ofnecessary budgets and resources, while accompanying governments in the ASEANfor an ASEAN Community of cohesion, innovation, creativity and adaption to theera of science and technology 4.0, and towards sustainable development for thebenefits of every people.

She further said that 2020 will be a year toreview the five-year development of the ASEAN Community since its establishmentin 2015 and to draw experience from the five subsequent years.

It will also be a special year for Vietnam whenthe country both holds the position of a non-permanent member of the UNSecurity Council, Chair of ASEAN, and Chair of AIPA 41.

Therefore, the National Assembly of Vietnam willcontinue innovating AIPA activities as well as increasing the role and positionof the AIPA in building the ASEAN community, Ngan said.

She added that through activities within theframework of the AIPA, Vietnam will continue enhancing cooperation between the AIPAand the ASEAN, international organisations and multilateral cooperationmechanisms to boost the implementation of commitments and plans outlined in thebuilding of the ASEAN Community, with a vision to 2025.

With the support of AIPA members, the NationalAssembly of Vietnam will host the first meeting of AIPA young parliamentariansand connect the AIPA with the ASEAN and youngsters of the bloc, she added.

In that spirit, Ngan said the National Assemblywill do its utmost to successfully host the role of AIPA Chair and expectsclose coordination of the Thai parliament and other member parliaments of the AIPAas well as the AIPA Secretariat and ASEAN Secretariat to build a prosperousASEAN Community.

Ngan said she hopes to welcome delegates to the41st General Assembly of AIPA in Vietnam in 2020.

Chuan Leekpai said Vietnam has made significantcontributions to ASEAN and affirmed to cooperate with the Vietnamese toplegislator to build a strong, solid, and sustainable ASEAN Community in thefuture.

Earlier the same day, NA Chairwoman Nganattended the second plenary session of the 40th General Assembly of AIPA.-VNA