Speaker of House of Representatives Takes Part as Guest of Honor in 41st Session of Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Speaker of House of Representatives Habib El Malki is taking part as a guest of honor in the 41^st session of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The session takes place during September 8-10^th in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi via videoconference.

With the participation of the speakers of the parliaments of member States, representatives of regional and international organizations, and other guests, Mr. Habib El Malki gave an address on Tuesday, September 8^th, 2020, in which he stressed the utmost importance of parliamentary diplomacy in consolidating international cooperation, as it is diplomacy in its own right that enables achieving goals unattainable via traditional means. In this respect, he stated that "parliamentary relations can serve as communication channels that facilitate and accompany the evolution of relations between States on issues where official communication is complex.”

Besides, the House’s Speaker emphasized the role of parliamentary diplomacy in bridging the gaps between countries and peoples through giving a parliamentary perspective to global governance and promoting peace, saying that “it is, thus, a key element in international cooperation and democracy consolidation.” Mr. Habib El Malki also lauded the performance of some multilateral parliamentary organizations and their contribution to consolidating concertation and coordination between national parliaments, and in exchanging experiences and expertise in parliamentary action.

The Assembly member states aspire for further parliamentary cooperation during this session, chaired by Speaker of the Vietnamese National Assembly Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân. They also aspire to deepen the debate on the issues of common interest to achieve further integration.

The ongoing session, held under the theme of “Parliamentary Diplomacy for a Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN Community,” is expected to discuss issues that concern the role of women parliamentarians in the creation of job opportunities for the active female labor force, and the role of youth in reinforcing the integration between ASEAN countries. Also, the Political Matters, Economic Matters, and Social Matters Committees will discuss numerous topics that concern solidifying political and parliamentary cooperation between member States, overcoming the common challenges and constraints emanating from the propagation of COVID-19, and enshrining the concept of good governance as a lever for economic development.

Speaker of House of Representatives Habib El Malki participated last year in the 40^th session of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly in the Thai capital Bangkok. On that occasion, he affirmed the high position occupied by the Assembly as an important parliamentary platform and essential pillar in consolidating parliamentary cooperation between the region’s countries. Meanwhile, he expressed Morocco’s aspiration to upgrade the institutional cooperation with this organization, with whose members the Kingdom entertains long-standing distinguished relations.

It should be noted that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is an economic and political association established in 1967. It gathers ten countries, including Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, Brunei, Laos, and Cambodia. The Association aims to accelerate economic growth, achieve social and cultural development in Southeast Asian countries, and create a free-trade zone between its member States.