Phnom penh: The 16th AIPA Caucus was officially opened here this morning at the National Assembly Palace in Phnom Penh under the theme ‘Peace Through Dialogue: The Parliamentary Path Forward.’
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, in her opening remarks, H.E. Ms. Ar. Siti Rozaimeriyanty Dato Haji Abdul Rahman, Secretary-General of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), lauded Cambodia’s leadership and inclusive vision in hosting this pivotal forum. ‘I wish to express my appreciation to Samdech Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia, for her hospitality and for the Kingdom’s continued efforts in advancing AIPA’s goals,’ she said.
H.E. Ms. Ar. Siti Rozaimeriyanty noted that the AIPA Caucus serves as a key mechanism to ensure that resolutions adopted by AIPA are effectively implemented at the national level. Since its establishment in 2007, the Caucus has promoted legislative harmonisation among member parliaments while respecting the diversity of ASEAN member states. Marking its 48th anniversary this year, AIPA has adopted over 1,070 resolutions. The Secretary-General highlighted Cambodia’s contribution to this progress through the development of the AIPA LYNC Digital Law Library, which integrates ASEAN instruments, AIPA resolutions, and national legislation in one accessible platform. ‘This initiative enhances legal transparency and contributes to regional coherence,’ she said.
The Secretary-General also welcomed Cambodia’s initiative to invite Observer Parliaments to attend the Caucus for the first time outside the General Assembly, describing it as a ‘progressive move’ that sets a constructive precedent for future AIPA activities. She emphasised that the theme of this year’s Caucus aligns with the strategic vision outlined by Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet during the recent AIPA-ASEAN Interface, where he called for stronger support for peace and multilateralism. ‘ASEAN does not pursue peace through dominance, but through mutual respect and sustained dialogue,’ she said.
H.E. Ms. Ar. Siti Rozaimeriyanty pointed to the complex factors affecting regional peace, including social, economic, political, and climate-related challenges. She stressed the vital role of parliamentarians in bridging grassroots concerns with national and regional policymaking. ‘A proverb reminds us: one enemy is too many, but a hundred friends are not enough,’ she said, calling on all delegates to reaffirm their commitment to cooperation and dialogue.
The AIPA Secretary-General concluded by expressing hope that the discussions at the Caucus would lead to meaningful outcomes and strengthen parliamentary cooperation across Southeast Asia. The AIPA Caucus serves as a platform for member parliaments to share best practices, monitor resolution implementation, and promote dialogue toward peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.