Closing remarks

by Hon Thongsing Thammavong,

President of the Lao National Assembly, Chair of the 17^th APPF

delivered at the Closing Ceremony of the 17^th APPF Annual Meeting,

15 January 2009, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR

Honorable,

Ladies and gentlemen,

The 17^th APPF Annual Meeting that has been running since 11 January in a constructive atmosphere of mutual understanding and high sense of responsibilities of all delegates has now come to its close with great success.

In the course of the meeting, delegates actively contributed to the discussions and exchanges of views on various issues in an open-minded and frank manner. All views and suggestions are of great importance, useful and will constitute a common guidance for pursuing the successful outcome of this meeting, in particular for the future cooperation between Asia Pacific Parliaments.

By consensus, the meeting adopted a number of resolutions relevant to emerging issues in the Asia Pacific region such as political-security stability, trade-economic matters in particular the impact of the global financial crisis and the inter-parliamentary cooperation for the development of the Asia Pacific region as well as in the world.          In addition, we discussed and adopted resolutions related to international affairs such as global warming, energy and food security, counter-terrorism, the cooperation in preventing and responding to natural disasters, pandemic, gender issue in legislative context, poverty alleviation and sustainable development.

Distinguished guests,

In order to further pursue the spirit of this meeting, the APPF should focus on the cooperation based on the three following major pillars: the political-security, the economic and socio-cultural cooperation. Furthermore, we need to further promote trade liberalization, investment and tourism while upholding the role of private sector in the socio-economic development of each country; further provide free assistance and grant soft loans to the developing countries and least-developed countries including assistance in human resource development, promote cultural exchange through people-to-people contact in particular among young people.

With regard to enhancing the APPF effectiveness, we need to further study this matter in depth by taking into account the specificity, role and actual capacity of each country and the needs of the new international situation.

Honorable,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to take this occasion to express my sincere thanks to all of you for sparing your valuable time in attending this meeting and making significant contribution to creating an atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding. Your views and comments are constructive, frank and useful to address current hot spot issues.

As host of this meeting, I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience you have experienced during these days.

May I extend my wholehearted congratulations to all of you for devoting intellectual and physical efforts thus contributing to the smooth running and great success of the meeting.

On the occasion of this 2009 New Year, may I extend to all of you my best wishes of good health, happiness and brilliant success in your professional and personal lives.

I wish you to have a nice and save trip back to your country.

On behalf of the Chair of this meeting, I have the pleasure to declare this 17^th APPF Annual Meeting officially close from this moment onward.

I thank you.