Chairwoman of Vietnamese National Assembly Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân (right) hands over a hammer which is the symbol of AIPA Presidency to Pengiran Haji Sahari bin Pengiran Haji Salleh, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to Việt Nam. — VNA/VNS Photos

HÀ NỘI — Chairwoman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân transferred 2021’s Presidency of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA42) to Brunei Darussalam on Thursday at the closing ceremony of the 41st General Assembly of AIPA on Thursday.

After three working days with six sessions focusing on ASEAN and AIPA’s issues, the 41st AIPA’s General Assembly wrapped up with success, Chairwoman Ngân, president of AIPA41, said.

“The success of AIPA is the active participation of delegates via teleconference in spite of limited time while member countries are giving priority to COVID-19 pandemic containment and economic recovery. Resolutions approved at the 41st AIPA General Assembly highlighted the roles of AIPA in making commitments to ensure peace, security and sustainability of the region,” she said.

She noted that AIPA attaches great importance to strengthening partnership and dialogue with ASEAN on various levels and looked forward to physical meetings to be held next year during Brunei’s presidency.

Pehin Dato Abdul Rahman Taib, Speaker of Legislative Council of Brunei Darussalam, said the council had already started making arrangements for the 42nd AIPA General Assembly in Bandar Seri Begawan next year.  

He pledged utmost commitment to put in the best effort during their AIPA Presidency in the next year in spite of uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

“During our presidency of the 42nd General Assembly of AIPA, we look forward to working closely with the AIPA Secretariat as well as AIPA member parliaments to continue building on good work in the past in ensuring the realisation of AIPA’s visions and two aspirations.

“I would like to seek the support and co-operation from the speakers and parliamentarians of AIPA member parliaments as well as our dialogue partners and relevant stakeholders towards the success of our AIPA Presidency,” he said.

The 41st AIPA General Assembly’s closing ceremony witnessed the admission of parliaments of Morocco and Norway as new AIPA observers.

The admission ceremony of AIPA new observers is chaired by NA Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân.

NA chairwoman Ngân presented devotion awards to Pany Yathotou, President of the National Assembly of Lao PDR and Tòng Thị Phóng, vice chairwoman of Vietnamese National Assembly for their excellent contributions to the AIPA. — VNS