As the host country, Lao National Assembly Chairman Saysomphone Phomvihane expressed his pleasure to meet, welcome and sincerely thank the National Assembly/Parliamentary Delegations of various countries who came to Vientiane, Laos to attend the 45th AIPA General Assembly.

Lao National Assembly Chairman and AIPA President Saysomphone Phomvihane highly appreciated the role of AIPA member countries in promoting and connecting ASEAN's common growth, especially in developing infrastructure, transportation and facilitating effective connections in trade, investment, education, healthcare, tourism and services.

Over the past time, the cooperative relationship between AIPA member countries and AIPA development partner countries has achieved good results, contributing to promoting solidarity, creating trust and mutual support in cooperation mechanisms; together solving regional and international issues for peace, stability and sustainability, cooperating for development in the region and the world.

Lao National Assembly Chairman and AIPA President Saysomphone Phomvihane said that the 45th AIPA General Assembly was held under the theme "The role of the National Assembly in promoting, connecting and growing ASEAN together".

Therefore, the countries will exchange and discuss many important issues on politics, economy, society, women, youth and internal work of AIPA. In addition, the AIPA General Assembly will also discuss cooperation mechanisms to support the ASEAN Vision 2025.

Lao National Assembly Chairman and AIPA President Saysomphone Phomvihane believes that this AIPA General Assembly will provide member countries with the opportunity to meet and discuss ways to develop cooperation, solidarity, build mutual trust, and exchange views to create unity and achieve high results.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man with Lao National Assembly Chairman, AIPA President Saysomphone Phomvihane and Heads of delegations of AIPA member parliaments/national assemblies, AIPA observers, AIPA partners and guests of the host country Laos. Photo: VNA

At the AIPA-45 Executive Committee meeting yesterday, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and leaders of the National Assembly/Parliament welcomed the theme of AIPA-45 “The role of Parliament in enhancing ASEAN connectivity and comprehensive growth”, expressing confidence that the contents discussed at AIPA-45 will contribute significantly to the implementation of ASEAN's priorities and orientations in the process of building the Community, realizing a connected and self-reliant ASEAN in the consistent spirit of the ASEAN cooperation theme in 2024.

Leaders of the Parliaments/Assemblies of the countries highly appreciated the warm welcome and careful preparation of the host country, believing that with the experience and wise leadership of the Chairman of the Lao National Assembly, AIPA-45 will be a great success.

The proactive and active participation of the Vietnamese National Assembly High-level Delegation in the contents to be discussed at the Conference affirms that the Vietnamese National Assembly and the parliaments of member countries promote intra-bloc cooperation, expand multi-faceted relations with parliaments in and outside the region, and continue to promote the role of AIPA for peace, stability, development and cooperation in the region.

The participation and contribution of the Vietnamese delegation at the 45th AIPA General Assembly also demonstrates the support of the Vietnamese National Assembly for the Lao National Assembly to successfully assume the responsibility of AIPA Chair 2024, contributing to strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.