Phnom Penh, 17 October 2024 – Samdech Rathsaphea Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the Cambodian National Assembly, is leading a high-level parliamentary delegation to participate in the 45th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-45) in Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic, at the invitation of Honourable Dr. Xaysomphone Phomvihane, President of the National Assembly of Lao PDR and President of AIPA-45.

The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) is a significant parliamentary forum representing nearly 700 million people from ASEAN member countries. The AIPA Annual General Assembly aims to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy and regional cooperation for peace, prosperity, and sustainable development both regionally and globally.

Under the theme “The Role of Parliament in Enhancing Connectivity and Inclusive Growth of ASEAN,” this important regional forum, hosted by the Lao National Assembly from 17 to 23 October 2024, provides an opportunity for members of parliament in Southeast Asia to discuss, exchange views, share best practices, and devise strategies to contribute to ASEAN’s goals, particularly in realizing a people-centered ASEAN community.

The participation of a high-level Cambodian parliamentary delegation in this crucial event not only strengthens the parliamentary mechanism and promotes the principles of pluralism but also enhances bilateral and multilateral cooperation with other parliaments for the benefits of people in various sectors, including economics, business, social affairs, culture, and tourism, while especially fostering people-to-people relations.

The AIPA-45 General Assembly will feature a variety of forums and meetings attended by leaders of the Cambodian Parliament and delegation members, including the AIPA Executive Committee meeting, the WAIPA Women Political Leaders Forum, the Women Parliamentarians of AIPA (WAIPA) meeting, the Young Parliamentarians of AIPA (YPA) meeting, and meetings of the Political, Economic, Social, and Organisational Committees. Additionally, there will be a dialogue with AIPA Observer Parliaments, the 3rd AIPA-ASEAN hearing, the Joint Communique Committee meeting, and a meeting between AIPA member Parliaments and AIPA Observer Parliaments.