Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez today urged lawmakers from member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to take firm collective action to surmount daunting challenges.
“As ASEAN enters a new phase of its journey, it will require us to take stronger collective action to endure the current tide of regional and global challenges that include the spread of violent extremism, tensions resulting from maritime sovereignty disputes, human and drug trafficking, among others,” Alvarez said.
Alvarez made the appeal in his welcome remarks at the opening rites of the 38th Asian Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) General Assembly at the Shangrila Hotel in Makati. Alvarez is the incumbent AIPA President and host of the General Assembly.
He said AIPA must play a more effective role towards the realization of the ASEAN’s goal of a common regional identify and integrated community.
“In this context, the role of AIPA in the realization of the ASEAN Community Vision is both crucial and necessary. The ASEAN’s aim for a common regional identity and integrated community has encouraged AIPA to be more visible and active,” said Alvarez.
He noted that AIPA is now in a better position to help achieve ASEAN’s goals. He said that since the adoption of its new statute in 2007, AIPA has transformed itself from an annual social gathering of parliamentarians to an assembly of legislators working for an integrated ASEAN.
The theme of this year’s general assembly– “AIPA and ASEAN: Partnering for Inclusive Change” — could not be more appropriate given the context of our times, according to Alvarez.
“The transformation of AIPA in 2006 — during the 27th AIPO General Assembly held in Cebu City — into a more effective and closely integrated institution is a reflection of the organization’s need to play a more effective role in the realization of ASEAN’s goals,” Alvarez said.
AIPA can help eliminate the bottlenecks in the implementation of regional integration measures resulting from the slow ratification of agreements by Member States, particularly commitments from the ASEAN Economic Community, according to Alvarez.
“AIPA’s participation can result in fully harmonizing the legal frameworks of the ASEAN Member States, and building common standards by promulgating domestic laws in line with ASEAN agreements and commitments,” Alvarez said.
Alvarez also stressed the need for inclusive representation and participation, saying the capacity to take into consideration and be responsive to the needs of marginalized sectors in ASEAN Member States is an important aspect of the legitimacy of a representative and inclusive assembly.
He said that as AIPA celebrates its 40th Anniversary this year, the milestone offers an opportunity for reflection and introspection.
“Change is needed not just in what we should do, but also in the way ASEAN operates and communicates. To be truly people-oriented and inclusive as the vision of ASEAN Community, the process must be made open, inclusive and participatory right from the beginning — not at the end,” Alvarez said.
Alvarez said AIPA will extend full support to the Philippines in leading the ASEAN toward the realization of the collective aspirations of its peoples for a peaceful, progressive, and caring community.
Participants in this year’s AIPA general assembly from Sept. 14-20, 2017 include delegation from 10 member-states: the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Also attending the AIPA are observer delegations from Australia, Canada, Belarus, China, European Parliament, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, and other guests. | CONGRESS- PR
