NZ delegation to strengthen New Zealand’s links with ASEAN

Speaker of the House of Representatives

A delegation from the New Zealand Parliament will join representatives from 22 countries to discuss regional issues and promote greater understanding and cooperation, when the 36th ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) takes place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 6 – 12 September 2015. The delegation will be led by Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi MP.

AIPA is a forum for MPs from the 10 member countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), and also 12 observer parliaments including New Zealand, India, Australia, the European Parliament, and China. The AIPA General Assembly meets annually to discuss issues of mutual concern with the aim of agreeing cooperation and enhancing collaboration among parliamentarians.

The attendance of the delegation at this year’s Assembly is especially significant as 2015 marks the 40th anniversary of New Zealand’s relationship with the ASEAN political and economic community.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon David Carter, said that AIPA is a unique forum that brings together parliamentarians from South-East Asian and observer parliaments to discuss important issues that have far-reaching impacts, such as political stability, trade, and the reduction of drug use.

“The value of the Assembly is that members contribute to an important ongoing dialogue on regional political, economic, and social matters,” said David Carter. “New Zealand’s attendance at AIPA presents a valuable opportunity for the participating parliamentarians and is of wider benefit to New Zealand.”

Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi MP will bring New Zealand’s perspectives to panel discussions on gender equality, narrowing development gaps, protecting the rights of the elderly, and the importance of higher education. He will also have the opportunity to lead a discussion on enhancing parliamentary collaboration using a people-oriented, people-centered approach.

The delegation will take place 6 – 13 September 2015.

ENDS

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