Becoming The Host Of The ASEAN Parliamentary Session, Puan Is Expected To Strengthen Parliamentary Diplomacy

JAKARTA - The House of Representatives will host the 4th Parliamentary General Assembly in Southeast Asia or the ASEAN Inter-parlementary Assembly (AIPA). DPR Speaker Puan Maharani was appointed to chair the AIPA general assembly.

The Indonesian House of Representatives will host the 44th ASEAN Interparlementary Assembly (AIPA) General Assembly (AIPA) which will be held in Jakarta on 5-10 August. This follows the chairmanship of the Indonesian House of Representatives in AIPA in 2023, in line with Indonesia's chairmanship in ASEAN this year.

The Indonesian House of Representatives carries the theme Responsive Parliaments for A Stable and Prosperous ASEAN or Responsive Parliament for ASEAN Stable and Prosperous at the 44th AIPA General Assembly. The session will be attended by 500 participants consisting of members of parliament 11 ASEAN countries including Indonesia, 20 observer countries, and representatives from 12 international organizations.

"Puan Maharani as President of AIPA in 2023 will provide a valuable opportunity to contribute to the future of a more stable and prosperous ASEAN region," said Political Communications expert Silvanus Alvin, Thursday, July 20.

"Puan Maharani's leadership at the international level as President of AIPA will provide an opportunity for Indonesia to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy, prioritize regional cooperation, and achieve joint solutions to future challenges," continued the lecturer at the Faculty of Communications, Universitas Multimedia Nusantara (UMN).

Alvin assessed that Puan's move, which has always brought the issue of regional progress, has become an added value in itself. Like when Puan mentioned the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar at the 42nd ASEAN Summit (KTT) which was held in Labuan Bajo, NTT.

At that time, Puan advised ASEAN countries to maintain an open and inclusive mechanism for peace development and conflict prevention.

"Puan can bring inclusive views and sensitivity to crucial social issues for ASEAN, making the region stronger and united in facing global changes," explained Alvin.

He added that Puan was often considered successful when she was given the responsibility to lead an international standard event. Alvin mentioned when Puan became the Chair of the General Assembly who chaired the 144th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) session in Nusa Dua, Bali in 2022, when the DPR RI also acted as the host.

In addition to successfully displaying the face of a cultured Indonesia, Puan's role in regulating the course of the IPU general session in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic at that time was widely praised by the world parliamentary delegates. In fact, Puan received praise from representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) because the 144th IPU Session had met the health protocol standards regulated by the world health organization.

Meanwhile, in terms of substance, Puan raised many important issues at the 144th IPU Session. One of the issues raised by Puan was regarding women's empowerment, which in the end was widely appreciated by the world parliamentary forum countries.

Puan's success in holding international events is known not only from a technical and content perspective. Because at every opportunity, the first woman to serve as Chair of the DPR RI always promotes Indonesian culture.

"Puan always inserts Indonesian culture and promotes tourism in our country to world representatives. This is certainly a good promotional strategy," he added.

Puan's position as the first woman to serve as Chair of the DPR RI is also considered to be a message that Indonesia is a country that supports gender equality. Puan's achievements are considered to be an inspiring story for world women.

Puan's role as President of AIPA this year is certainly quite special. Puan has her own appeal to make the international community see Indonesia as a pro for the progress of women's leadership, including in politics. Of course this will have a positive impact on Indonesia," said Alvin.