Jakarta, Kominfo Newsroom – Chairperson of the Indonesian People's Representative Council (DPR), Puan Maharani, called for a message of solidarity and unity in Southeast Asian countries at the 44th General Session of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).
Puan said AIPA must find common ground for commitment amidst the differences between AIPA countries.
The 44th AIPA General Assembly is also deemed necessary to support 'ASEAN unity and centrality', during various challenges and world problems. Therefore, the 44th General Assembly of AIPA is an opportunity for Parliaments in Southeast Asia to strengthen their commitment to responding to various global and regional challenges and problems.
"Stability is a prerequisite for development and economic growth in Southeast Asia. A peaceful, stable, and prosperous ASEAN will contribute to global economic stability and growth," said Puan while delivering her opening speech at the 44th AIPA Session at Fairmont, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday (7/8/2023).
Unity and cooperation play an important role in overcoming challenges faced by ASEAN as a unified region. Therefore, Puan conveyed that AIPA will continue, strengthen, and sharpen the commitment needed to maintain and ensure a conducive, peaceful, stable, and prosperous Southeast Asia region.
This is also in line with the theme of the 44th AIPA General Assembly, "Responsive Parliaments for a Stable and Prosperous ASEAN", which is a joint commitment to helping to create peace and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The theme of the 44th AIPA General Assembly is also in line with the theme of Indonesia's Chairmanship at the 42nd ASEAN Summit 'ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth' where it emphasizes the importance of ASEAN as an anchor of world stability from a political-security perspective, and as a center of growth for economic perspective.
Furthermore, Puan also encourages parliamentary diplomacy that is inclusive and can increase mutual understanding and build trust (trust building) between countries in Southeast Asia.
Through the DPR RI in the past two years, Indonesia has become one of the centers of global and regional parliamentary diplomacy. In 2022, the DPR RI presides over the 144th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the 8th G20 Parliamentary Speakers Summit 20 (P20). "And in 2023, we will hold the AIPA Presidency. All of this aims to increase Parliament's contribution to discussing various international issues," said Puan.
Puan added that the dynamics of geopolitical developments in the future will be increasingly complex and give rise to various new normal conditions. To deal with this, Puan invited ASEAN to be more solid, look for similarities among ASEAN countries, and try to minimize differences.
"Let us work together to protect Southeast Asia, which is conducive to creating a peaceful, advanced, and prosperous society. ASEAN is strong because it is united; ASEAN is united because it is strong," said Puan.
During the meeting, Puan also emphasized four strategic agendas at the 44th AIPA meeting. Among other things, AIPA needs to continue to encourage that amid great power competition, the world needs to resolve priority issues of common interest, namely, among others, a just world economic order and climate change mitigation.
The 44th AIPA General Session was attended by nine Parliaments from all AIPA member countries-except Myanmar-namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. And there will also be 18 of the 20 Observer Countries (observers).
During the session, there will also be Commission Sessions, including the Political Commission, Economic Commission, Social Commission, Organizational Commission, Women Parliamentarians of AIPA (WAIPA) Meeting, and Young Parliamentarians of AIPA (YPA) Meeting. Several DPR delegations will also hold bilateral meetings with parliamentary delegations from ASEAN countries on the sidelines of the AIPA session.
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Photo Caption: Chairperson of the Indonesian People's Representative Council Puan Maharani delivering a speech at the Opening of the 44th AIPA Session at Fairmont, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday (7/8/2023). Photo: Aas/nr