This year with the collaborative effort from the Parliament of the Kingdom of Thailand and coordination support from the AIPA Secretariat, the 7th PCAsia Seminar on “An Overview of Parliamentary Responsibilities: Strengthening the Institutions” was successfully organised from 26 to 30 June 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Over the course of three days, more than 50 participants, resource persons and moderators joined together for this event to compare the working methods as practiced within the different political systems of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, with further contributions from the AIPA Secretariat and the King Prajadipok’s Institute. Complimenting perspectives were added by presenters from the Parliament of India, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in Canada, the French National Assembly and the European Parliament.
AIPA Secretary General, H.E. Ar. Siti Rozaimeriyanty DATO HAJI ABDUL RAHMAN and members of the PCAsia Board of Directors actively moderated and encouraged lively discussions on the parliamentary functions of legislation, representation, oversight and parliamentary diplomacy.
During the welcoming session, PCAsia Executive Director Mr Dararith KIM YEAT highlighted the seminar’s aims of facilitating the acquisition and consolidation of specific skills as well as the exchange of good parliamentary practices in the context of North-South and Regional/South-South cooperation. His comments were echoed by Ms Kaewkate THAWORNPHUN, Advisor of the Secretariat of the Senate of Thailand, who delivered opening remarks on behalf of the Secretary-General of the Senate, Ms Napaporn JAISUJJA. She shared how the seminar will allow participants to build professional relationships which can open doors to new opportunities, not only during the three-day seminar, but also in the future.