Report

Overview

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) held its 38th General Assembly from September 14 to 20, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. The Canadian Parliament, which has observer status to AIPA, sent a joint delegate of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (CJIG) and the Canada-China Legislative Association (CCLA). The CCLA and CJIG were both represented by the Honourable Tobias C. Enverga Jr., Senator. H.E. Mr. Pantaleon D. Alvarez, AIPA President and Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives, presided over the 38th AIPA General Assembly.

The 38th AIPA General Assembly was attended by delegations from AIPA Member Countries: Brunei Darussalam led by Pehin Dato Abdul Rahman Taib; Kingdom of Cambodia led by H.E. Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin; Republic of Indonesia led by Hon. Dr. Fadil Zon; Lao People’s Democratic Republic led H.E. Madame Pany Yathotou; Malaysia led by Hon. Dato’ Sri Haji Ismail Bin Mohamed Said; Republic of the Union of Myanmar led by Hon. T. Khun Myatt; Republic of the Philippines led by Hon. Rodolfo C. Farinas; Republic of Singapore led by Hon. Lim Biow Chuan; Kingdom of Thailand led by H.E. Prof. Pornpetch Wichitcholchai; and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam led by Hon. Madame Tong Thi Phong.

Observer Delegations were from the Commonwealth of Australia led by Hon. George Christensen; Republic of Belarus led by Hon. Doctor Dmitry Shevtsov; Canada led by Hon. Tobias C. Enverga Jr.; People’s Republic of China led by Hon. Li Lianning; European Union Parliament led by Hon. Neena Gill; Republic of India led by Hon. Ganesh Singh; Japan led by Hon. Masahiro Ishii; Republic of Korea led by Hon. Oh Jaesae; and Russian Federation led by Hon. Olga Epifanova.

The Canadian delegate attended the first plenary session which incorporated statements by the leaders of all member countries, followed by those from all observer countries. The statement by Canada was delivered by the Honourable Senator Tobias C. Enverga Jr. The speech highlights may be found in Appendix A of this report.

The conference held individual Committee sessions on the following subjects:

1. Political Matters
2. Economic Matters
3. Social Matters
4. Organizational Matters

Each observer nation’s delegation participated in a dialogue meeting with representatives of the ASEAN member nations. The Canadian delegate met with his counterparts from the AIPA nation on Sunday, September 17, 2017. The agenda for the dialogue meeting was the following:

1. Strengthening cooperation in disaster management;
2. Combating transnational crimes, particularly cybersecurity, terrorism, and violent extremism;
3. Trafficking in persons and illegal drugs.

The dialogue was moderated by Hon. Ferdinand L. Hernandez, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines. Within this session, the ASEAN member nations voiced their interest in strengthening the region’s economic relations with our nation. They are hopeful that this strengthened relationship could potentially lead to a future free trade agreement with Canada. Hon. Ferdinand L. Hernandez’s report summarizing the discussion’s main points was presented at the Second Plenary Session and is attached as Appendix B to this report.

The Canadian delegation participated in the Second Plenary Session, which took place on the final day of the conference. During this session, all of the reports of the committees and observer dialogues were presented to and adopted by the plenary as well as the joint communiqué for the conference which is attached as Appendix C. The 39th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) will be held in Singapore, from September 3 to 7, 2018.

Conclusion

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) continues to be one of the world’s fastest growing economic regions. The ASEAN nations have been identified as one of Canada’s priority markets. Canada’s partnership with ASEAN nations dates back to 1977 and is committed to issues such as human rights, health, security, trade and investment. In July 2016, the adoption of a new 5-year Plan of Action did much to further cooperation on issues surrounding human rights, counterterrorism, and disaster management. This most recent Plan of Action for 2016-2020 targets goals specifically relating to the support of the post-2015 ASEAN Community Vision 2025 building and integration process. Observer participation by Canada at conferences of this nature are a tremendous opportunity for Canadian Parliamentarians to be apprised of significant issues affecting ASEAN nations and to continue in exercising support while demonstrating Canada’s commitment to the prosperous development of this most significant region.

Respectfully submitted,