Malaysian Ambassador: AIPA 46 is a 'launchpad' for parliaments to drive ASEAN aspirations
WVR - On the occasion of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man's participation in the 46th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 46) and official visit to Malaysia (September 16-20), Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Dato' Tan Yang Thai highlighted to The World and Vietnam Report the significance of AIPA 46 and his expectations for Vietnam's contributions.
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| National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and Speaker of the Malaysian House of Representatives Tan Sri Dato' Johari Bin Abdul visit the Vietnam National Assembly's Traditional Room during their visit to Vietnam in October 2024. (Source: quochoi.vn) |
How does the Ambassador assess the significance and focus of the 46th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) concerning ASEAN's new development goals?
The 46th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 46), held from September 16-22 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, marks a significant milestone in ASEAN's development process, linking parliamentary activities with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
As the ASEAN Chair and AIPA Chair in 2025, Malaysia focuses on themes related to inclusivity and sustainable development, emphasizing the commitment to ensure “no one is left behind” in the region's development journey.
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| Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Dato' Tan Yang Thai. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
The theme of AIPA 46, “Parliaments at the forefront for an inclusive and sustainable ASEAN growth”, asserts that parliaments should not only play an advisory role but must become proactive legislative bodies responsible for oversight, ensuring accountability, and transforming regional aspirations into specific laws and policies.
AIPA 46 will highlight the central role of parliaments in promoting inclusive and sustainable development, positioning them as the main driver to realize ASEAN's long-term goals.
The Assembly also aims to promote mutual learning among member parliaments through sharing advanced legislative experiences and effective oversight mechanisms.
Additionally, AIPA 46 aims to enhance parliamentary capacity in proactively responding to challenges and seizing new opportunities on the path towards inclusive growth. AIPA encourages closer cooperation with the community, private sector, and academia to ensure the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 is advanced with broad participation.
Finally, AIPA 46 is tasked with providing specific policy and legislative recommendations to build a fairer, more resilient, and future-oriented ASEAN.
In summary, AIPA 46 is not just a diplomatic event but a “launchpad” for parliaments, showcasing their pioneering role in leading long-term development centered on the people of ASEAN.
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| Malaysia hosts the 2nd Consultation Meeting of ASEAN Young Parliamentarians (YPA) in May 2025. |
What are the Ambassador's expectations for Vietnam's participation in AIPA 46?
Vietnam's long-standing participation in AIPA, as one of the earliest members with significant contributions to regional parliamentary cooperation, has always been of great value. As Malaysia assumes the role of ASEAN Chair and AIPA Chair in 2025, Vietnam is well-positioned to leverage its leadership role in many key areas.
Within AIPA frameworks, including General Assembly sessions and specialized mechanisms like the AIPA Young Parliamentarians (YPA), AIPA Women Parliamentarians (WAIPA), the Caucus, and the Coordinating Committee on Drug Control (AIPACODD), Vietnam has made and continues to make substantial contributions.
In the context of AIPACODD and other AIPA mechanisms, Vietnam is expected to bring valuable contributions on inclusive growth, digital economy, sustainable development, and youth participation. Additionally, Vietnam can share experiences from domestic reforms to promote equitable growth and resilience to environmental impacts.
Equally important, Vietnam's participation in AIPA is expected to provide recommendations aligned with AIPA's development goals, particularly in promoting legal frameworks and oversight mechanisms to enhance inclusivity and sustainable development across the region.
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| The "AIPA Roadshow in Vietnam" held last August helped raise awareness among the younger generation about ASEAN and AIPA. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
Regarding Vietnam-Malaysia relations, what significance does this visit hold for the bilateral relationship and expectations for parliamentary cooperation between the two countries, Ambassador?
This official visit to Malaysia by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man marks an important milestone in Malaysia-Vietnam relations, especially as the two countries have recently upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2024). Moreover, the theme of AIPA 46, placing parliaments at the forefront of inclusive growth and sustainable development, deeply reflects the shared priorities of both nations.
AIPA's mechanism, allowing each parliament to send a delegation of up to 15 members, while organizing inter-parliamentary dialogues within WAIPA, YPA, the Caucus, and other mechanisms, will open up numerous bilateral cooperation channels.
Malaysia expects this visit to expand bilateral parliamentary cooperation through joint committee participation, staff-level collaboration, and capacity-building initiatives. It is also an opportunity for the two legislative bodies to strengthen ties in policy-making to promote equitable and sustainable development, while fostering cooperation in parliamentary groups to address regional issues such as climate change resilience, human trafficking, and sustainable investment.
Additionally, the visit is an opportunity to reinforce the role of parliaments in ensuring transparency and accountability in policy implementation. Through AIPA 46, Malaysia and Vietnam can elevate bilateral legislative cooperation, making tangible contributions to the vision of a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable ASEAN.
Thank you, Ambassador!
