Delegates from the House of Councillors attend the 45th General Assembly of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in Vientiane

October 19-21, 2024

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The 45th General Assembly of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) was held in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, for three days from Saturday, October 19, to Monday, October 21, 2024, on the subject of "The Role of Parliaments in Enhancing Connectivity and Inclusive Growth of ASEAN". The delegation from the House of Councillors, Mr. HOSHI Hokuto (delegation leader) and Mr. ISHIBASHI Michihiro, attended the Assembly on behalf of the National Diet of Japan, one of the observer countries.

Preceding the session, Mr. HOSHI made a courtesy call on H.E. Dr. Xaysomphone PHOMVIHANE, President of the National Assembly of Lao PDR. During the First Plenary Session, Mr. HOSHI reviewed Japan-ASEAN cooperation and the development of ASEAN in light of 50 years of relations between Japan and ASEAN, which were commemorated last year. He also made a statement regarding Japan’s contributions to ASEAN’s efforts to enhance connectivity and the strengthening of closer collaboration between Japan and ASEAN.

During the Dialogue between the delegation from Japan and the delegates from the AIPA Member Parliaments, Mr. HOSHI and Mr. ISHIBASHI participated in a lively exchange of views including advancing inter-parliamentary and people-to-people exchanges between Japan and ASEAN on the subject of "Parliamentary Cooperation towards Integration and Inclusive Growth".

During the Assembly, the delegation was involved in activities for enhancing connectivity such as holding meetings with delegations from the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, the Kingdom of Thailand, and Canada as well as meeting with H.E. Mdm. Baykham Khattiya, Minister of Labour and Social Welfare of Lao PDR and the Hon. Ms. Thoummaly VONGPHACHANH, Chairperson of the Justice Committee of National Assembly of Lao PDR, President of Laos-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Association. The delegation also visited to a local medical facility, a Japanese language educational institution and a sending organization of technical intern trainees.