Report

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) held its 33rd General Assembly from September 16 to 22, 2012, in Lombok, Indonesia. 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 JoAnne Buth, Senator. The Secretary to the delegation was Mr. Roger Préfontaine. SAMDECH AKKA MOHA PONHEA CHAKREI HENG SAMRIN, President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia and AIPA President, presided over the 33rd AIPA General Assembly.

The 33rd 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. Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin, President of the National Assembly; Republic of Indonesia led by Hon. Mr. Priyo Budi Santoso, Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives; Lao People’s Democratic Republic led by H.E. Mme. 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 Hon. Mr. Nyunt Tin, Chairman of the Committee of the ASEAN Political-Security Community Committee, Amyotha Hluttaw; Republic of the Philippines led by Hon. Mr. Victor F. Ortega, Chairman for the Inter Parliamentary Relations and Diplomacy; Republic of Singapore led by H.E. Mr. Michael Anthony Palmer, Speaker of the Parliament; Thailand led by H.E. Mr. Somsak Kiatsuranont, President of the Thai National Legislative Assembly; 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 Australia led by Senator Lisa Singh; Belarus led by Hon. Mr. Viktor Guminsky; Canada led by Hon. Donald Neil Plett; People’s Republic of China led by Hon. Mr. Zha Peixin; European Union Parliament led by Hon. Mr. Robert Goebbels; India led by Hon. Mr. Mohammad Asrarul Haque; Japan led by Hon. Mr. Nataniya Masayoshi; Republic of Korea led by Hon. Choung Byoung-gug; and Russian Federation led by H.E. Mr. Iliyas Umakhanov.

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 Wednesday, September 19, 2012. The agenda for the dialogue meeting was the following:

1.Strengthening human resource development and capacity building;

2.Promote collaborates research and strategy transfer in agriculture, food and forestry procedure;

3.Energy issues and environmental aspects;

4.Strengthening efforts to address climate change adaptation needs;

5.Increasing Parliamentary Cooperation between AIPA Members and Observers

The dialogue was chaired by the Hon. Mr. Ung Huot with the appointment of Rapporteur, Hon. Mr. Chiep Sivorn. 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 34^th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) will be held Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, from September 15 to 21, 2013.

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,