The 27^th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organisation (AIPO 27)  was concluded in Cebe City of the Philippines on September 14 after four days’ sitting.

The success of AIPO 27 was the continued affirmation of cooperation and assistance among member countries for mutual development.

In a Joint Communiqué approved by some 300 Assembly delegates, AIPO vowed to dramatically reduce poverty following the United Nations Millennium Development Goals by adopting concrete steps such as the promotion of regional centers of growth like the Mekong Delta and the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), the setting of common legislation on improving the quality and production of agricultural products, and the promotion of renewal energy resource development suitable for each country.

To hasten ASEAN integration, AIPO endorsed intensified internal trade cooperation through the ASEAN Free Trade Area, the ASEAN Investment Area and the proposed ASEAN Charter, specifically by opening up more economic sectors, removing non-tariff barriers, and reducing  the cost of doing business, technology transfer and investment linkages and provisions for greater regional connectivity.

On regional security, the delegates stressed a “human-centered approach” to counter the spread of terrorism through continuing inter-faith dialogue, tolerance and respect for differences in beliefs, awareness of religious rights, and inter-faith studies at school.

Among imminent dangers necessitating immediate inter-country cooperation, the delegates cited cyber terrorism, maritime piracy, and drug trafficking as major threats to be prevented by stringent lawmaking and law enforcement among member countries.

In its social agenda, AIPO delegates recognized the need to combat the trafficking of women and minors in the region, using the case of Vietnam as a model to find solutions and responses. They also sought stronger regional networks in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS and improving disaster management and emergency work at the national and international levels as well as promoting environmental protection through effective implementation.

The delegates agreed to rename the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organisation (AIPO) as the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) and elect the General Secretary of AIPA for  a three- year term.

They agreed to hold AIPA-28 in Malaysia in August, 2007.

Vietnam’s proposal to celebrate the 30^th founding anniversary of AIPO was also approved with specific programmes.

Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines Jose de Venecia turned over  turned over the AIPO gavel to Datuk Lim Si Cheng, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Malaysian Parliament, host of the 28^th General Assembly.

On the sidelines of AIPO 27, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong met with parliamentary leaders of the host country and AIPO member countries, helping promote mutual understanding among parliaments in the region and further strengthen the relation of friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and regional countries.