Hanoi (VNA) – Given increasing COVID-19 challenges facing the world and the region, heads of delegations tothe ongoing 42nd General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-42)highlighted the importance of international cooperation and commended timelymeasures conducted by governments of regional nations in response to thepandemic.

Raising their opinions at the AIPA-42’s first plenary sessionon August 23 afternoon, they called on countries in theregion to strengthen their cooperation in information sharing, research, andfair access to COVID-19 vaccines, treatment drugs, and medical supplies; and to give more power to their governments for more active, flexible, and effectiveresponse to the epidemic.

For the post-pandemic recovery, they urged an earlyratification of transregional free trade agreements, including the RegionalComprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement between ASEAN and its fivepartner nations.

Regarding digital connectivity improvement, they said regional countries must move towards digital governance and digital rules to ensureinclusive digitalisation and multilateral cooperation.

In the process of digitisation, AIPA member parliaments mustensure that digital inclusion helps to achieve the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 toward innovation andresilience, they said.

They also called for cooperation among ASEAN parliaments toboost innovation, complete legal frameworks, lift barriers, and createconditions for regional governments to improve digital connectivity,ensure fair digitalisation, and build a comprehensive, safe, and inclusivedigital infrastructure.

The promotion of public-private cooperation and enhancementof digital capacity are also necessary, they added.  

Also at the session, many mentioned solving the East Sea andMyanmar issues through a process of comprehensive dialogue and cooperation,building trust, and upholding international law in contribution to maintainingpeace, security and sustainable stability in the region.

Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hueand his Singaporean counterpart Tan Chuan-Jin underscored the importance ofsustaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation andoverflight in the East Sea as well as tackling disputes by peaceful measuresin line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention onthe Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982)./.