Three resolutions sponsored by Vietnam have been passed at the 37th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 37), which took place in Myanmar capital Nay Pyi Taw from September 30 to October 2.

One of the resolutions highlights cooperation to ensure cyber security within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It calls on AIPA to push for the building of the bloc’s legal framework on cyber security and preventing and fighting cyber and trans-national crime, while strengthening partnership within ASEAN and between ASEAN and outside partners in the field.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (front, centre) leading the Vietnamese delegation at the executive committee meeting of AIPA 37

Another resolution urges developing small- and medium-sized enterprises as part of the global value chain, and bringing into full play the role of AIPA and member parliaments in building a regional legal framework and harmonizing domestic laws with ASEAN legal documents and agreements in the field.

The resolution calls on the governments of ASEAN member countries to adopt policies to facilitate regional SMEs’ connectivity and access to full information, assessment and analysis on ASEAN’s commitments on international economic integration as well as integration’s impacts on each industry, with a view to helping SMEs understand the global rule and optimize opportunities brought about by free trade agreements between ASEAN and partners.

The Vietnamese Assembly also initiated a resolution on ASEAN cooperation to respond to climate change. The resolution urges AIPA member parliaments to accelerate the harmonisation of laws in ASEAN, consider and ratify the Paris agreement 2015 and supervise the implementation of ASEAN commitments regarding climate change. AIPA should assist ASEAN member governments in carrying out the ASEAN Declaration on sustainable environment and climate change post 2015, and quickly pass and implement an ASEAN strategic plan of actions on environmental cooperation for 2016-2025.

The AIPA 37 passed a total of 25 resolutions on issues of common interest and significance to the ASEAN Community.

The Philippines will be chair of the AIPA-38 next year.

Source: VNA