Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man.

On this occasion, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee Le Thu Ha gave an interview to the press about the significance of the visit and shared Vietnam's proposed contributions to AIPA-45.

Could you please tell us what is the significance of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and the high-ranking delegation of our National Assembly attending AIPA-45?

The 45th AIPA General Assembly takes place in the context of ASEAN continuing to give high priority to consolidating the Community building process, striving to complete the 2025 Blueprints, along with building 4 Cooperation Strategies on politics - security, economy, culture - society and connectivity for the next phase based on the orientations of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, towards "a self-reliant, dynamic, creative and people-centered ASEAN".

As ASEAN Chair 2024, with the theme of the year "ASEAN: Promoting Connectivity and Resilience", Laos has promoted its leading role, implementing cooperation initiatives on three pillars of politics - security, economy and culture - society, achieving many positive results. ASEAN continues to be an economic bright spot with a forecast growth of 4.6% in 2024 and 4.8% in 2025, far exceeding the world average. Strengthening connectivity and linkages between economies, ASEAN is determined to accelerate negotiations on agreements both within the bloc and between ASEAN and its partners. Cultural and social cooperation is enhanced, focusing on responding to emerging challenges such as climate change and the environment, focusing on vulnerable groups with many meaningful activities, prioritizing strategic restructuring to narrow the development gap.

In that context, the participation of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and the high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly in AIPA-45 is of great significance, on the one hand demonstrating the proactive, active participation and responsible contribution of the Vietnamese National Assembly and the parliaments of member countries to consolidate the central role, solidarity and unity in ASEAN, promote intra-bloc cooperation, expand multi-faceted relations with parliaments in and outside the region; promote the responsibility and role of AIPA for peace, stability and development, and at the same time put forward many valuable initiatives to share and support the Governments of ASEAN countries in solving priority issues of the region. On the other hand, by proactively and actively participating in making substantial contributions to the content of AIPA, it demonstrates the support of the Vietnamese National Assembly for the Lao National Assembly to successfully assume its international responsibilities in 2024, including successfully assuming the role of ASEAN/AIPA Chair and successfully organizing the 45th AIPA General Assembly.

The theme of AIPA 45 is "The Role of Parliaments in Enhancing ASEAN Connectivity and Inclusive Growth". What is your assessment of the choice of this theme?

The choice of the theme of the 45th AIPA General Assembly is consistent with the ASEAN General Theme this year, "ASEAN: Promoting Connectivity and Resilience", emphasizing dialogue and consultation between ASEAN, AIPA, Parliaments of observer countries and AIPA partners to help strengthen partnership cooperation and consolidate ASEAN's position and central role; demonstrating the consistent message of AIPA and the desire of the host country Laos as Chair of ASEAN and Chair of AIPA to strengthen the connectivity between economies in the region and between ASEAN and external partners, narrow the development gap, promote comprehensive and sustainable development; consolidate the common commitment to implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, promptly respond to emerging challenges and seize opportunities to move towards a resilient, cohesive, prosperous and people-centered ASEAN Community.

To achieve these two pillars of "connectivity" and "inclusive growth", AIPA member parliaments need to build synergy and accompany ASEAN governments through enhancing cooperation and information sharing in the legislative field, promoting connectivity within the ASEAN framework and other cooperation frameworks for the goal of ASEAN's comprehensive growth.

Could you share about Vietnam's proposed contribution to AIPA-45 this time?

Based on the general theme of the General Assembly, issues of our concern, in line with regional trends, Vietnam plans to propose 4 initiatives/Resolutions at the AIPA Young Parliamentarians' Conference, the Social Committee, the AIPA Women Parliamentarians' Conference, and the Economic Committee.

Specifically, the Resolution on "Enhancing the role of young ASEAN parliamentarians in implementing the Declaration of the 9th Global Meeting of Young Parliamentarians on promoting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals through digital transformation and innovation" affirms that digital transformation and innovation are inevitable trends today; emphasizes the role of young people and young parliamentarians in perfecting institutions and policies, thereby contributing to improving and enhancing the quality of life of people; affirms the role of culture and cultural diversity as the driving force of sustainable development, playing an important role in the process of solving current challenges; recommends a number of solutions to enhance the role of young people in promoting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals through digital transformation and innovation...

The Resolution on "Enhancing the rights, social welfare and employment opportunities for older persons in the ASEAN region" affirms the importance of enhancing the rights, welfare and employment opportunities for older persons; emphasizes that the development of policies and programs to support older persons will contribute to the sustainable development of the region; calls on ASEAN member countries to prioritize resource allocation, development and implementation of policies and programs to improve social welfare for older persons; develop strategies and action plans to create employment opportunities for older persons; coordinate and share experiences in implementing policies and programs to support older persons...

The Resolution on "Promoting the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls in ASEAN" affirms that violence against women and girls is a serious problem, a violation of human rights and an obstacle to the sustainable development of ASEAN countries; emphasizes ASEAN's commitment to eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls; calls on AIPA member parliaments to develop and strengthen the implementation and monitoring of laws and policies on preventing and combating all forms of violence against women and girls; raise public awareness of gender equality and the harmful effects of gender-based violence; promote the participation of men and boys in preventing violence against women and girls; strengthen regional and international cooperation...

The Resolution on "Improving institutional capacity to connect transport, aviation and seaports in the ASEAN region" affirms ASEAN's important geostrategic position; emphasizes that ASEAN always considers connectivity and integration as one of the top priorities in implementing measures to realize the ASEAN Economic Community, contributing to promoting the advantages of a dynamic, central and potential ASEAN region; calls on AIPA member parliaments to enhance their role in promoting effective cooperation within the ASEAN region and between ASEAN and other partners; strengthen coordination in building national and regional mechanisms and policies, focusing on prioritizing connectivity of transport networks.

The Vietnamese delegation also considered co-sponsoring 6 resolutions; of which 5 were proposed by Laos, 1 by Indonesia, Laos and Malaysia. Specifically: Strengthening the role of Parliaments in promoting connectivity and harmonious development of ASEAN through political-security cooperation; The role of Parliaments in promoting green capital mobilization for sustainable infrastructure development towards the ASEAN Community Vision beyond 2025; Promoting the role of Parliaments in smart healthcare innovation; Increasing the interest of Parliaments towards building a sustainable, connected and inclusive ASEAN Community; Empowering youth in building a safe, sustainable and inclusive ASEAN Community; The role of Parliaments in supporting the implementation of ASEAN towards promoting responsible investment in the agri-food and forestry sectors.

This is also the first time Comrade Tran Thanh Man has officially visited the Lao People's Democratic Republic in his capacity as Chairman of the National Assembly. What is the significance of this in the relationship between the two countries, Madam?

The visit of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man is a concrete implementation of the High-level Agreement between the two Politburoes at the Meeting between the two Politburoes of Vietnam and Laos and the Vietnam-Laos Joint Statement within the framework of the State visit to Vietnam by General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith (September 2024) and the State visit to Laos by President To Lam (July 2024).

The visit once again affirms the consistent policy of our Party and State to always give the highest priority and attach importance to developing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos; affirms Vietnam's strong and comprehensive support for the cause of innovation, protection and construction of Laos; and at the same time demonstrates the trust and closeness between the two countries' senior leaders as well as between our National Assembly Chairman and the Lao National Assembly Chairman personally.

During the visit, the National Assembly Chairman is expected to hold talks with National Assembly Chairman Saysomphone Phomvihane; pay a courtesy call to General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith; meet with Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and many other important meetings. The two sides will discuss and agree on future cooperation directions to deepen the bilateral relationship in a more effective and practical manner, especially further enhancing the effectiveness of cooperation between the two National Assemblies, and exchanging and coordinating stances on a number of regional and international strategic issues of mutual concern.

Thank you very much!