This statement came following NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue’s key-note speech delivered at the 42nd General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-42) which is taking place in Brunei via an online format from August 23 to August 25.
The top Vietnamese legislator's speech largely focused on assessing the world and regional situation, thereby highlighting the role of multilateral co-operation, along with the solidarity and unity of ASEAN, whilst acknowledging the efforts of the bloc and its member states in containing the COVID-19 pandemic.
It served to affirm Vietnamese efforts in COVID-19 prevention and control, along with the nation’s stance on vaccine co-operation, while providing recommendations to strengthen the functional role of member parliaments to urge regional Governments to implement inclusive digital assurance schemes.
According to the Vietnamese NA leader, the past year has seen the world and the bloc continue to face great difficulties and challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, causing serious loss of life and the risk of severe disruption of production and supply chains. This has therefore strongly impacted economic growth, exacerbating social inequalities, including digital inequality and social security, along with the welfare of citizens.
“More than ever, the COVID-19 pandemic poses urgent requirements for countries that need to renew their governance, adjust policies and development targets, including the need for digital transformation toward building a digital economy in order to promptly respond to the pandemic, and maintain stable socio-economic development," emphasised NA Chairman Hue.
Faced with a range of complicated developments relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and unpredictable changes of the regional and international geopolitical environment, the ASEAN community continues to affirm its spirit of solidarity, unity, self-reliance, strong leadership, and central role. This is being done through taking prompt actions and joining hands to respond to the pandemic immediately after the initial outbreak.
Through the various ups and downs, the community's identity, solidarity, and mutual affection that exists between member states and the people has been further strengthened and fostered.
With a comprehensive approach in a range of fields, including pandemic control, ASEAN is stepping up measures under the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF), in which innovation, creativity, digital transformation, and development model innovations are seen as extra leverage. It is hoped that these efforts will soon restore sustainable growth momentum.
The Vietnamese NA leader added that the COVID-19 pandemic is also viewed as a catalyst for ASEAN to enhance the digitalization of the economy, adapt and make effective use of Industry 4.0, whilst narrowing the digital gap and ensuring digital equality in the region.
NA Chairman Hue used his key-note speech to emphasise five issues that AIPA needs to pay close attention to in order to further promote the importance of digital transformation, ensure stable growth, and the sustainable recovery of ASEAN. This includes continuing to be the nucleus of regional peace, stability, and prosperous development.
Most notably, NA Chairman Hue called for the solidarity and common responsibility of AIPA in co-operation and experience sharing, especially through the application of science and technology to effectively control the COVID-19 pandemic.
He therefore proposed strengthening inner bloc co-operation with partners in research, development, and the fair sharing of vaccines, drugs, and equipment for pandemic prevention and control efforts.
The NA Chairman suggested parliaments of all countries give more power to their respective governments to proactively and flexibly respond to the pandemic as a means of minimising damage and quickly recovering post-pandemic socio-economic development. He added that all countries' recovery and development efforts will not be without the prerequisite that is a peaceful, secure, and stable environment in the region.
He welcomed and expressed great appreciation for the efforts of the Governments of ASEAN countries in recent times, with the accompaniment and active support of AIPA member parliaments in maintaining and promoting the dialogue and co-operation process.
This has been done whilst building trust, upholding compliance with international law to contribute to preserving peace, security, co-operation, and sustainable stability in the region, including the East Sea, in accordance with international law and the Convention 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“This year, despite numerous challenges caused by COVID-19, in May, Vietnam successfully held the elections for the 15th National Assembly, and the People’s Councils at all levels for the 2021-2026 tenure. In July, Vietnam successfully convened the first session of the 15th National Assembly to elect the key leaderships of the State, National Assembly and Government, and outline the goals to become a modernity-oriented industrialized developing country, having graduated from the lower-middle income group by 2025, a developing country with a modern industrial base and an upper-middle income by 2030, and a developed, high-income country by 2045.
The National Assembly of Vietnam pledges to continue being an active and responsible AIPA member, for the development of parliamentary diplomacy and the interests of all people in ASEAN,” NA Chairman Hue stated.
He expressed his confidence that the 42nd AIPA General Assembly will be a great success.
Meanwhile on behalf of the State and people of Vietnam, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc used the occasion to extend greetings to AIPA-42 President and Speaker of the Legislative Council of Brunei Abdul Rahman Taib Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela, and speakers and heads of delegations of AIPA member parliaments.More than ever, ASEAN must show a right vision and its identity of unity, cohesion and resilience of a Community to surmount all challenges and move forwards, Phuc said, adding that every step forwards the ASEAN Community is taking could not be possible without the important role of legislative bodies, represented by AIPA and member parliaments, Phuc said.He also applauded this year’s theme, saying Vietnam pledged to continue becoming involved actively and responsibly in multilateral cooperation frameworks, in both lawmaking and law enforcement.