Hanoi (VNA) – Speaker of the LegislativeCouncil of Brunei Pehin Abdul Rahman Taib on September 10 appreciatedChairwoman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan’sexceptional leadership, efforts and dedication in fostering parliamentarydiplomacy to drive the ASEAN region towards being more cohesive and responsive.

Via teleconference, the top legislator of Bruneidelivered a speech on the assumption of the chairmanship of the ASEANInter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). On behalf of the speaker, the BruneianAmbassador to Vietnam received the chairmanship hammer from Chairwoman Ngan atthe closing ceremony of the 41st AIPA General Assembly (AIPA 41) in Hanoi onSeptember 10.

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

In this difficult time, it is even more crucialto strengthen partnerships within AIPA, as well as to reach out strategicallyto the dialogue partners on issues that are of mutual concern regionally andinternationally, he said, noting that during Brunei’s chairmanship, the countrylooks forward to working closely with the AIPA Secretariat as well as memberparliaments to continue building on the good work in the past in ensuring therealisation of AIPA’s visions and aspirations. 

“In this light, I would like to seek the supportand cooperation from the speakers and parliamentarians of AIPA memberparliaments as well as our dialogue partners and relevant stakeholders towardsthe success of our AIPA Presidency,” he added.

With regards to the hosting of the next AIPAGeneral Assembly, the speaker noted that the Legislative Council of Brunei hasalready started making arrangements for the 42nd AIPA General Assembly inBandar Seri Begawan next year. 

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

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

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