Hanoi (VNA) - The first plenary session of the 41st GeneralAssembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-41) took place inHanoi on September 8, following the online opening ceremony of AIPA 41.

Participantsapproved the heads of AIPA member delegations as vice presidents of AIPA-41.

In their speeches, heads of AIPA member delegations recognised leadership bythe National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Chair of AIPA 41 anddedication and steadfast commitment of the National Assembly of Vietnam inmaking it possible to convene the 41st AIPA General Assembly this year albeitvirtually amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

They also recalled challenges facing ASEAN member countries, which are broughtby the pandemic, while stressing coordination within ASEAN to overcome thechallenges posed by COVID-19.

Vice Chairperson of the Vietnamese National Assembly Tong Thi Phong, who headedthe Vietnamese delegation to the AIPA 41 General Assembly, said given adverseimpacts by the pandemic, ASEAN and AIPA are evidence of the spirit ofsolidarity and mutual assistance to overcome difficulties. The organisation of the AIPA 41 General Assembly has showed efforts of AIPAmember parliaments and Secretariat as well as of support parliaments ofobserving countries of AIPA.

She voiced her supportfor the theme of AIPA 41 “Parliamentary Diplomacy for a Cohesive andResponsive ASEAN Community”, and said the Vietnam National Assembly applaudedASEAN’s initiatives in 2020 in order to maintain an environment of peace,security and stability in the region, promote regional connectivity, takeadvantages of opportunities brought by the fourth Industrial Revolution, andpromote awareness on ASEAN community and identity as well as partnership forpeace and sustainable development.

Vietnam also supports ASEAN cooperation efforts in response to the COVID-19pandemic, she added.

Shealso held that AIPA and its member parliaments should stay united to overcomechallenges brought by the pandemic in all fields, including universal healthcoverage, health emergency response network, environment protection,biodiversity and waste management.

She emphasised cooperation to develop a vaccine against COVID-19 as one ofimmediate tasks needed to be done.

At the session, participants adopted the AIPA-41 General Assembly’s operationsprogramme, its agenda, dialogue theme with observing countries and plannedcompositions of committees./.