Report

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) held its 34^th General Assembly from September 17 to 23, 2013, in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. The Canadian Parliament, which has observer status to AIPA, sent a joint delegation of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (CJIG) and the Canada‑China Legislative Association (CCLA). The CCLA was represented by its Co‑Chair, the Honourable Donald Neil Plett, Senator, and the CJIG was represented by the Honourable Daniel Lang, Senator. The Secretary to the delegation was Mr. Roger Préfontaine. H.E. Mr. Pehin Dato Haji Isa Ibrahim, Speaker of the Legislative Council of Brunei Darussalam, presided over the 34^th AIPA General Assembly.

The 34^th AIPA General Assembly was attended by delegations from AIPA Member Countries: Brunei Darussalam led by H.E. Mr. Pehin Dato Haji Isa Ibrahim, Speaker of the Legislative Council; Kingdom of Cambodia led by H.E. Mr. Tep Ngorn, 2^nd Vice President of the Senate of the Upper House of the Parliament; Republic of Indonesia led by H.E. Dr. Marzuki Alie, Speaker of People’s Representative Council; Lao People’s Democratic Republic led by H.E. Mrs. Pany Yathotou President of the National Assembly; Malaysia led by H.E. Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Pandikar Amin Hj Mulia, Speaker of the House of Representatives; Myanmar led by H.E. Thura U Shwe Mann, Speaker of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw & Pyithu Hluttaw; Republic of the Philippines led by Hon. Pangalian M. Balindong, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Philippines; Republic of Singapore led by H.E. Mdm. Halimah Yacob, Speaker of the Parliament; Thailand led by H.E. Mr. Surachai Liengboonlertchai, First Vice–President of the Senate; and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam led by H.E. Ms. Tong Thi Phong, Vice President of the National Assembly.

Observer Delegations were from Belarus led by Mr. Vitaly Busko; Canada led by Hon. Donald Neil Plett; People’s Republic of China led by Mr. Chi Wanchun; European Union Parliament led by Mr. Werner Langen; India led by Mr. Viswanathan Perumal; Japan led by Ms. Takagai Emiko and Russian Federation led by Mr. Kalashnikov Leonid.

The Canadian delegation attended the first plenary session which incorporated statements by the leaders of all member countries, followed by those from all observer countries. The statement by Canada was delivered by the Honourable Senator Donald Neil Plett, Leader of the Canadian delegation. The speech highlights may be found in Appendix A of this report.

The conference held individual Committee sessions on the following subjects:

1)    Political Matters

2)    Economic Matters

3)    Social Matters

4)    Organizational Matters

Each observer nation’s delegation participated in a dialogue meeting with representatives of the ASEAN member nations. The Canadian delegation met with their counterparts from the AIPA nations on Friday, September 20, 2013. The agenda for the dialogue meeting was the following:

1)    Establishing ASEAN Community 2015;

2)    ASEAN Connectivity;

3)    ASEAN Parliament;

4)    More Enhanced Partnership between AIPA and Canadian Parliament

The dialogue was chaired by the Hon. Haji Zulkipli bin Haji Abd. Hamid, Member of the Legislative Council of Brunei Darussalam. His report summarizing the discussion’s main points was presented at the Second Plenary Session and is attached as Appendix B to this report.

The Canadian delegation participated in the Second Plenary Session, which took place on the final day of the conference. During this session, all of the reports of the committees and observer dialogues were presented to and adopted by the plenary as well as the joint communiqué for the conference which is attached as Appendix C. The 35^th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) will be held in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, from September 14 to 20, 2014.

Bilateral Meeting with Japan

During the Assembly, the Canadian delegation met with its Japanese counterparts.  The Japanese were represented by Ms. Emiko Takagai, Mr. Naoki Tanaka and Mr. Kiyohiro Araki, and accompanied by Mr. Hiroyuki Togawa and Ms. Yoko Shinokubo.

In a very friendly atmosphere, the Parliamentarians exchanged views and information on female representation in and the composition of their respective Houses. The impending visit to Canada by Prime Minister Abe was discussed.

Senator Lang informed the Japanese delegation on various investment opportunities in Yukon, including in the exploitation of lead, zinc and copper deposits.

Senator Plett reminded his counterparts that Japanese interests have recently bought a pork processing plant in Manitoba. He informed the group that timber and various wood product exports are slightly down but this could be compensated with other products. He reminded that Canada is a world leader in energy and energy supply and that production can be facilitated and accelerated since the environmental assessment process has now been reduced to 2 years.

The Japanese expressed the desire that a Bilateral Meeting between the two countries during AIPA now be a regular event.

Conclusion

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is one of the world’s fastest growing economic regions. Collectively, the economies of the ten ASEAN countries are approximately 10% larger than that of Canada and just slightly larger than that of Brazil. Moreover, the ASEAN nations have been identified as one Canada’s priority markets. Canada’s partnership with ASEAN nations dates back to 1977 and is committed to issues such as human rights, health, security, trade and investment. In July 2010, the adoption of a new 5-year Plan of Action did much to further cooperation on issues surrounding human rights, counterterrorism, and disaster management. Observer participation by Canada at conferences of this nature are a tremendous opportunity for Canadian Parliamentarians to be apprised of significant issues affecting ASEAN nations and to continue in exercising support while demonstrating Canada’s commitment to the prosperous development of this most significant region.

Respectfully submitted,