JAKARTA, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- The general session of the 44th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) kicked off here in Indonesia's capital on Monday, calling for governments and parliaments in the Southeast Asia region to promote the regional economic growth and enhance ASEAN's economic integration.
"Amid the uncertainty of the global economy, the governments, members of parliaments and other stakeholders in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries should show solidity and play central roles so that we can show the relevance of ASEAN to the world," Indonesian President Joko Widodo said in his remarks of the opening session.
The whole series of events of the AIPA is scheduled on Aug. 5-10.
Citing a survey showing that for the last 56 years, ASEAN had contributed significantly to the peace and stability in the region and its surroundings, he said that around 80 percent of countries across the globe see ASEAN as an important partner with promising economic opportunities.
"Their survey means that global trust in ASEAN is very high; our job is to use that trust to build a prosperous ASEAN," Widodo said.
The AIPA was attended by hundreds of legislators from ASEAN countries and representatives from observing countries and international organizations.
This year, the assembly upheld a theme of "Responsive Parliaments for a Stable and Prosperous ASEAN," aiming to encourage the parliaments to be more sensitive to multi-dimension crises. Among the issues discussed during the five-day meeting include economy, renewable energy, climate change, and among others.
Indonesia's House of Representative Speaker Puan Maharani, who chairs the 44th AIPA, said on the same occasion that the current regional and global crisis, including global warming, were tests for ASEAN.
The AIPA General Session is, therefore, necessary to support ASEAN unity and centrality amid global challenges, Maharani said. ■