Open AIPA Session, Puan Invites ASEAN Countries To Reduce Differences

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani (Dok DPR Photo)

JAKARTA - The 44th ASEAN Inter Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) General Assembly held in Jakarta has been officially opened. The chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives as well as the 44th President of AIPA, Puan Maharani, also invited the parliament members of AIPA to be more solid by seeking equality between ASEAN countries, and trying to minimize differences.

The 44th AIPA General Assembly has started on August 5, 2023, and officially opened today by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the Fairmont Hotel, Senayan, Central Jakarta, today Monday (7/8/2023). Jokowi was present accompanied by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

The Presidential entourage was welcomed by Puan together with the Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Rachmat Gobel, and Lodewijk Freidrich Paulus. The opening Ceremony of the ASEAN state parliamentary forum was also attended by a number of state leaders, including the Chairman of the MPR RI Bambang Soesatyo.

The opening of the 44th AIPA General Assembly was enlivened by art and cultural performances, including traditional dances. This prestigious event in ASEAN was opened marked by the printing of buttons by President Jokowi, Puan, and Secretary General of AIPA Siti Rozamimeriyanty Dato Haji Abdul Rahman.

As the host, the Indonesian House of Representatives carries the theme Responsive Parliaments for a Stable and Prosperous at the 44th AIPA General Assembly. The total number of delegates present consists of the Chairperson and Member Delegation Members of AIPA minus Myanmar, Secretary General of AIPA, 18 observer countries and guests, as well as 10 international organizations.

"Cooperation between countries is the key in solving global challenges. In this case, AIPA can contribute to solving these challenges," said Puan.

The AIPA General Assembly is one of the peaks of the chairmanship of the DPR RI at AIPA. The DPR RI is hosting the presidency of the DPR RI as Chair of AIPA in 2023, which is in line with Indonesia's chairmanship in ASEAN in 2023. Puan also emphasized the importance of the role of Parliament in dealing with various multi-dimensional crises.

"The parliament is expected to contribute to solving various regional problems. So that the problems in Southeast Asia can be resolved by countries in this region. We need to maintain ASEAN Centrality," said the first woman to serve as Chair of the DPR RI.

As a representation of the people, Puan reminded parliament members of AIPA to be more oriented towards the aspirations and fulfillment of people's livelihoods in the region. As in the involvement of parliament on various international issues, it is important, because it has a direct impact on the people who are voters of parliament.

"The aspirations of the people are about fulfilling a safe, peaceful, prosperous, healthy, civilized, and friendly life. This is AIPA's commitment, in contributing to creating peace and prosperity in Southeast Asia," explained Puan.

"AIPA must be able to find common ground for joint commitments, amidst differences between AIPA countries," he continued.

Puan added that the dynamics of geopolitical developments in the future will be more complex and create various new normal conditions (new normal). To deal with this, he invites ASEAN countries to be more solid.

"To find equality between ASEAN countries, and try to minimize differences," said Puan.

"Let's work together to protect Southeast Asia which is conducive to realizing the life of its people who are peaceful, advanced, and prosperous. ASEAN is strong, because it is united. ASEAN is united, because it is strong. One ASEAN family, together we are one," explained Puan.