On the evening of Monday 4 April 2016, the Parliamentary Institute of Cambodia achieved a significant milestone in its development by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU with the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). The MoU forms the basis for the establishment of a capacity development program for staff of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly Member Parliaments and particularly supports PIC’s South-South Cooperation Initiative (SSCI).
Under the agreement – signed by the Executive Director of PIC Mr Dararith Kim-Yeat and AIPA Secretary General Mr. P.O. Ram – PIC will help to develop the capacity of parliamentary staff within the ASEAN region through AIPA coordination. PIC will particularly help with training in subjects including Parliamentary Research, English Language, Legislative Analysis and Legislative Drafting Techniques, Budget Analysis, and Parliamentary Communications and Public Relations. With AIPA as coordinator, this will also contribute to facilitate deeper relationships and engagement between the parliaments of ASEAN members, in general.
Cooperation Agreements were also signed between PIC and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). These important financial partners and contributors have indicated their support for this parliamentary capacity strengthening project, particularly in respect of its role in furthering the regional principles of the South-South Cooperation Initiative.
Commenting on this important step for both PIC and AIPA, Mr Dararith Kim-Yeat said that cooperation between AIPA as a bridge between the ASEAN parliaments and PIC as a service provider would enable the successful expansion of the South-South Cooperation Initiative initially supported by SDC. He extended particular thanks to the Parliament of Cambodia, to Sida and to SDC for their support in this important stage in the regionalization of PIC’s program.
In his response, Mr P. O. Ram confirmed AIPA’s commitment to providing suitable candidates from the secretariats of ASEAN member parliaments to undertake PIC’s capacity development program. He was confident that such participants would subsequently be able to use their new skills and knowledge to contribute to the development of their parliaments. Revitalized staff who had benefited from these opportunities would be able to bind member parliaments still closer together, he said.
AIPA was formed firstly to support general cooperation within ASEAN. Secondly it aimed to bring about closer bonding between the parliaments of Southeast Asia, and thirdly to promote awareness among the citizens of Southeast Asia in terms of their diverse cultures and heritage. In this way it endeavored to encourage the direct and active participation of ASEAN members in the building of a common community.
CONTACTS:
Parliamentary Institute of Cambodia (PIC)
Vimeanrath Chamkar Mon (Senate), Preah Norodom Blvd., Phnom Penh
Phone numbers: (855) 23 210 055 / 23 210 056
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.pic.org.kh
ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA)
6th Floor, Nusantara 3 Building, DPR RI Compound Jalan Gatot Subroto, Senayan, Jakarta 10270, Indonesia
Phone numbers: (6221) 571-5511/571-5691
Fax Number: (6221) 573-1319
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.aipasecretariat.org