Hanoi (VNA) – Speaker of the Legislative Council of Brunei Pehin Abdul Rahman Taib on September 10 appreciated Chairwoman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan’s exceptional leadership, efforts and dedication in fostering parliamentary diplomacy to drive the ASEAN region towards being more cohesive and responsive.

Via teleconference, the top legislator of Brunei delivered a speech on the assumption of the chairmanship of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). On behalf of the speaker, the Bruneian Ambassador to Vietnam received the chairmanship hammer from Chairwoman Ngan at the closing ceremony of the 41st AIPA General Assembly (AIPA 41) in Hanoi on September 10.

In his address, the speaker expressed his honour to assume the role and congratulated Chairwoman Ngan and the Vietnamese NA on successfully convening this year’s AIPA General Assembly virtually, despite the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this difficult time, it is even more crucial to strengthen partnerships within AIPA, as well as to reach out strategically to the dialogue partners on issues that are of mutual concern regionally and internationally, he said, noting that during Brunei’s chairmanship, the country looks forward to working closely with the AIPA Secretariat as well as member parliaments to continue building on the good work in the past in ensuring the realisation of AIPA’s visions and aspirations. 

“In this light, I would like to seek the support and cooperation 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 added.

With regards to the hosting of the next AIPA General Assembly, the speaker noted that the Legislative Council of Brunei has already started making arrangements for the 42nd AIPA General Assembly in Bandar Seri Begawan next year. 

“However, with still much uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue to strive to meet via whatever available means permitted in the future. Regardless of the situation, however, the Legislative Council of Brunei Darussalam would like to assure you of our utmost commitment to put in our best effort during our AIPA Presidency in the next year,” Pehin Abdul Rahman Taib said.

The AIPA 41 from September 8 to 10, held online for the first time in history, took place under the theme “Parliamentary Diplomacy for a Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN Community”.

Earlier, Vietnam served as the Chair of the 23rd and 31st AIPA general assemblies in 2002 and 2010, respectively./.