BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

ASEAN should join efforts and enhance regional cooperation, said the Speaker of the Legislative Council of Brunei Darussalam at the first plenary meeting of the 35th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) yesterday in Vientiane, Laos.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Diraja Dato Laila Utama Hj Awang Isa Pehin Datu Perdana Manteri Dato Laila Utama Hj Awang Ibrahim said that socio-economic issues have taken over regional security, which dominated the ASEAN strategic landscape in the past.

He said that although considerable efforts have been done to address the issues in narrowing development gaps, socio-economic disparities still exist in the region.

“Current Impending challenges, particularly in poverty alleviation, require more effective strategies,” said the Speaker.

“Added to that, innovative mechanisms on human resource development and capacity building need to be explored to ensure their relevance to future aspiration of ASEAN.”

“Similarly, natural disasters, climate change, food and energy security as well as the emergence and re-emergence of non-communicable diseases demand urgent attention, timely responses and stronger regional efforts.”

To reach its goal of becoming a people-centred and rules-based community by the end of 2015, the Speaker said that it is vital for ASEAN to strengthen cooperation in the “three pillars” of political-security, socio-cultural and economic integration.

In his speech, YB Pehin Dato Hj Awang Isa urged AIPA to fully commit to the principles and purposes enshrined in the ASEAN Charter to enhance regional resilience. The general assembly this year carries the theme “Strengthening Parliamentary Cooperation in the ASEAN Community Building”, which the speaker said signifies the important role of AIPA in the process of ASEAN’s integration.

Referring to the theme, he also said that it is a continuous reflection of the need to strengthen collaborative efforts and actions by AIPA Member Countries in order to keep pace with the challenges and developments in ASEAN.

Accompanying Pehin Dato Hj Awang Isa were the Honourable Members of the Legislative Council and the Clerks of the Legislative Council. The 35th AIPA General Assembly was officiated by Pany Yathotou, President of AIPA and President of the National Assembly of Laos. Also attending the assembly yesterday was the Prime Minister of Laos, Thongsing Thammavong, Head of AIPA Member Parliaments, Head of delegation from Observer Countries, AIPA Secretary General, ASEAN Deputy Secretary General and AIPA Members Delegations.

The Brunei Times