PROMOTING PARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION FOR PEACEFUL AND SUSTAINABLE ASEAN
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, accompanied by his spouse and a high-level Vietnamese delegation, is attending the 46th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-46) at the invitation of Dato' Johari Bin Abdul, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malaysia and President of AIPA-46, and is also paying an official visit to Malaysia at the invitation of Dato' Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah, President of the Senate of Malaysia, from September 16 to 20, 2025.
This participation in AIPA-46 affirms the proactive, active and responsible engagement of the Vietnamese National Assembly in multilateral mechanisms, while conveying the message that Viet Nam consistently strives to work hand in hand with other nations to address global challenges through parliamentary diplomacy.
In the context of Malaysia assuming the chairmanship of AIPA-46, Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s attendance at the General Assembly and his official visit to Malaysia also reaffirm Viet Nam’s consistent foreign policy of attaching great importance to neighbourly friendship and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Malaysia, while underlining Viet Nam’s support and cooperation with Malaysia in building a peaceful, stable, inclusive and sustainable ASEAN.
VIET NAM’S ACTIVE AND PROACTIVE CONTRIBUTIONS AT AIPA
As President of AIPA-46, Malaysia has selected the theme “Parliaments at the Forefront for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable ASEAN” for this year’s General Assembly, with the aim of ensuring AIPA continues to promote regional integration, amplify the voices of the people, and enhance people-to-people exchanges among member countries.
AIPA also continues to foster the exchange of experiences and best practices in legal frameworks and supervisory mechanisms, in support of inclusive and sustainable growth. It seeks to strengthen cooperation between parliaments and political–social organisations, the private sector, and academic circles, thereby contributing to the realisation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
The flag-hoisting ceremony of Viet Nam, moving from the observer position to the row of flags of the official member states of AIPO — the predecessor of AIPA — at the first plenary session on September 19, 1995. Photo: VNA
The flag-hoisting ceremony of Viet Nam, moving from the observer position to the row of flags of the official member states of AIPO — the predecessor of AIPA — at the first plenary session on September 19, 1995. Photo: VNA
In 1995, the National Assembly of Viet Nam officially became a member of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organisation (AIPO), the predecessor of AIPA. Since then, Viet Nam has always been an active, proactive, and responsible member of AIPA, ready to accompany the organisation in building a strong and prosperous ASEAN.
The National Assembly of Viet Nam has introduced many initiatives to promote reforms and innovations in AIPA’s organisation and working methods; and actively supported and shared experiences with new members during their accession process. Viet Nam has also cooperated in successfully hosting general assembly sessions in various countries. The National Assembly of Viet Nam has continuously made contributions to strengthen relations between Viet Nam and countries both inside and outside the region.
With a strong sense of responsibility and willingness to contribute, at the AIPA-46, the National Assembly of Viet Nam is expected to continue bringing forward many initiatives to promote inclusive and sustainable development in ASEAN, as well as actively participate in discussions and contribute to the draft resolutions and joint communiqué of the AIPA-46.
As Chair of AIPA-46, Malaysia has chosen the theme “Parliament at the Forefront for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable ASEAN.” Photo: AIPA-46
As Chair of AIPA-46, Malaysia has chosen the theme “Parliament at the Forefront for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable ASEAN.” Photo: AIPA-46
In the context of ASEAN’s recent adoption of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, AIPA is sending a strong message of support, committing to closely coordinate with the governments and people of ASEAN member countries to successfully implement the set goals.
The discussion at the AIPA-46 mainly focused mainly focused on: the role of parliaments in strengthening ASEAN-led mechanisms; the legislative framework and the contribution of parliamentary diplomacy to supporting and maintaining ASEAN’s central role; balancing the central role and substantive cooperation with observers; mechanisms to enhance ASEAN-led initiatives; collective approaches to regional challenges, among others.
CONTINUING THE STRONG MOMENTUM OF DEVELOPMENT OF VIET NAM-MALAYSIA RELATIONS
The first official visit of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse to Malaysia took place in the context of thriving the Viet Nam-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with high political trust, strong economic and investment cooperation, and close people-to-people exchanges.
Viet Nam and Malaysia established diplomatic relations on March 30, 1973. Over more than half a century, bilateral ties have grown stronger and deeper across various fields, upgraded to a Strategic Partnership in 2015 and a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2024.
With the announcement of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the two Governments affirmed their commitment to supporting each other in their respective development paths, while continuing to consolidate and enhance friendly cooperation and political trust on the basis of respect for international law, independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and each other’s political systems.
The establishment of the Partnership framework marks an important milestone, reflecting profound mutual trust and all-round cooperation between the two nations, while laying a solid foundation for bilateral collaboration for the future.
Building on a high level of political trust, Viet Nam–Malaysia relations have recently yielded positive outcomes in such areas as economy, investment, cultural and educational cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges. Malaysia is Viet Nam’s third largest trading partner within ASEAN and its ninth largest trading partner worldwide, with two-way trade in 2024 reaching 14.2 billion USD, up 12 percent against 2023.
Malaysia is also the third largest ASEAN investor in Viet Nam, ranking 10th among 143 countries and territories investing in the country. It currently has 731 valid projects with a total registered capital of 13 billion USD, primarily in education and training, electricity, gas, and water production and distribution, as well as processing and manufacturing industries.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse posed for a photo with Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malaysia Tan Sri Dato' Johari Bin Abdul and his spouse during the Malaysian lower house leader’s official visit to Viet Nam on October 23, 2024. (Photo: DUY LINH)
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse posed for a photo with Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malaysia Tan Sri Dato' Johari Bin Abdul and his spouse during the Malaysian lower house leader’s official visit to Viet Nam on October 23, 2024. (Photo: DUY LINH)
The National Assembly of Viet Nam and the Malaysian Parliament have continued to maintain sound cooperation both bilaterally and multilaterally. The two sides have regularly exchanged delegations, held high-level meetings, and closely coordinated within regional and international inter-parliamentary mechanisms such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF), and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).
In terms of multilateral cooperation, the two countries have supported each other’s bids for positions at international organisations. Recently, Malaysia, along with other ASEAN member states, reached a consensus to support Viet Nam’s candidacy for the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023–2025 term. The two countries have also worked well together within ASEAN and other regional and international forums.
Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s working visit takes place as Malaysia assumes the role of AIPA Chair in 2025, reflecting Viet Nam’s respect for Malaysia as the incoming ASEAN Chair in 2025 and host of AIPA-46. It also reaffirms Viet Nam’s commitment to working with Malaysia and other ASEAN members to build a “Resilient and Inclusive” ASEAN Community — one that is united and strong, while reinforcing ASEAN’s central role in the regional architecture. The visit further opens up opportunities for Viet Nam and Malaysia to continue to strengthen strategic trust and expanding parliamentary cooperation between the two nations.
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