Hanoi (VNA) - The 41st General Assembly of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-41) wrapped up in Hanoi via teleconference on September 10 after three working days.

During the event, the Stortinget (supreme legislature of Norway) and the Parliament of Morocco were conferred a formal status of Observers of AIPA.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan voiced her expectation that the relations of AIPA, AIPA member parliaments and observing parliaments of AIPA would be further deepened.

Speaker of the House of Representatives of Morocco Habib El Malki expressed the willingness of the Moroccan legislative body to contribute to and share experiences with AIPA member parliaments.

He said he hopes that the Moroccan parliament’s experiences with African, Arabian, Mediterranean, Latin American countries will be useful for AIPA.

President of the Norwegian Storting Tone Wilhelmsen Trøen said she felt a deep honour that the Norwegian parliament was selected as an AIPA observer as this year marks the fifth anniversary of ASEAN-Norway partnership.

At the closing ceremony, President of the Lao National Assembly Pany Yathotou and First-Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Tong Thi Phong were presented with awards for excellent contributions to the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly.

They vowed to make more contributions to the development of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said step ahead for AIPA to implement its guidelines and targets, including promoting solidarity, understanding and close cooperation between ASEAN member countries’ parliaments and accompanying the governments in building a community for peace, stability and people’s interests.

She underlined traditional and non-traditional security challenges facing the region and the world, saying that AIPA should enhance solidarity and parliamentary diplomacy, adhere to international law, the UN Charter and ASEAN Charter in order to build a cohesive and responsive ASEAN Community.

She stressed that sustainable peace and security are foundation for long-term and prosperous development. Therefore, AIPA has always upheld the enhancement of partnership and dialogue with ASSEAN at various levels, she said, adding that AIPA supports ASEAN in signing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) this year and welcomes the establishment of an ASEAN fund for responding to COVID-19.

The closing ceremony ended with the transfer of the AIPA chairmanship to Brunei.


On behalf of the Speaker of the Brunei Legislative Council, the Brunei Ambassador to Vietnam received a hammer – the AIPA’s symbol – from AIPA 41 Chair Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

After the closing ceremony, a press conference announcing outcomes of AIPA 41 was held under the chair of National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, who is also the  Chair of AIPA 41./.