His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam expressed the Sultanate’s continued commitment to supporting the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in his titah. His Majesty emphasised the crucial role of AIPA Parliament members in promoting regional cooperation for the mutual well-being and prosperity of the region.
The titah was delivered as a message by the monarch at the opening of the 45th AIPA General Assembly on October 19, hosted by the National Assembly of Laos at the National Convention Centre in Vientiane, Laos.
His Majesty also highlighted the importance of the AIPA theme, ‘Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience’, which aligns with the ASEAN theme and supports ASEAN’s integration, unity and solidarity.
The ASEAN community’s vision, as emphasised by His Majesty, is to create a more resilient, innovative and people-centric ASEAN. This vision focuses on infrastructure development, reducing development gaps as well as fostering economic integration and exchange among people.
His Majesty underscored the pivotal role of Parliaments in supporting and shaping an ASEAN community that is both rule-based and people-oriented.
The Brunei Darussalam delegation to the 45th AIPA General Assembly was led by Speaker of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Dato Setia Haji Mohamed Taib and included 10 LegCo members.
The delegation also comprised Clerk to the Privy Council, Secretary to the Cabinet Ministers’ Council and Clerk to the LegCo Dr Hajah Huraini binti Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Jaya Dato Paduka Awang Haji Hurairah and officers from the LegCo secretariat.
During the first plenary session Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman emphasised the importance of the 45th AIPA General Assembly’s theme, which aligns with the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025’s vision of an interconnected and integrated ASEAN that promotes competitiveness and inclusion.
The LegCo Speaker also highlighted the role of Parliaments in supporting infrastructure development, strengthening digital networks and connecting people and economies within ASEAN. He emphasised the assembly’s significance as a platform for strengthening regional dialogue and cooperation, which will benefit the people of ASEAN and enhance regional resilience.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman added that through connectivity and inclusive growth, ASEAN will become more integrated and offer wider opportunities to its people. Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith officially opened the 45th AIPA General Assembly.
In his opening speech, the president underlined the alignment of the AIPA General Assembly’s theme with ASEAN’s efforts to realise the ASEAN Community Vision 2025. He emphasised AIPA’s crucial role in strengthening ASEAN cooperation through law enactment and the ratification of international agreements, which will contribute to building a stronger, more united and open ASEAN community.
The president also highlighted the need to reduce the development gap and improve the well-being of people throughout the region.
Meanwhile, President of the National Assembly of Laos and President of AIPA Saysomphone Phomvihane affirmed the AIPA General Assembly’s importance as a platform for ASEAN Parliaments to discuss common challenges, particularly in the context of critical regional and international issues such as climate change, economic crises and security instability. – James Kon
