Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian House of Representatives' (DPR RI's) Speaker Puan Maharani highlighted that the 44th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) General Session would focalize on the centrality of Indonesia's position as a counterweight in ASEAN with other countries.

"The most important aspect is the effort to make Indonesia to be able to voice the centrality of its position in ASEAN to create a balance between European countries and other countries," she noted in Jakarta on Friday.

Hence, the speaker considered the 44th AIPA General Assembly as an important means for Indonesia's leadership in the ASEAN to voice various regional issues at the international level.

"It is a very important tool in the post-pandemic period that Indonesia's chairmanship in ASEAN is expected to drive its leadership in the ASEAN in voicing (issues affecting) ASEAN internationally," Maharani affirmed.

The DPR RI speaker noted that Indonesia was entrusted with the AIPA presidency in 2023 after being selected to be the chair of ASEAN in 2023.

Moreover, she remarked that the General Assembly will discuss issues ranging from economic, social, renewable energy, to global matters.

"The social economic issues included mother and child issues, post-pandemic women's welfare, and children's education," she remarked.

The assembly will also discuss the conflict in Myanmar to implement the Five-Point Consensus as agreed upon by ASEAN countries and the parliaments, Maharani stated.

"We want to help Myanmar to implement the Five-Point Consensus as an effort to realize peace in the region," she remarked.

The DPR RI will host the 44th AIPA General Assembly in Jakarta on August 5-11, 2023, with the theme of "Responsive Parliaments for A Stable and Prosperous ASEAN."

Apart from Indonesia, the 44th AIPA General Assembly will be attended by nine parliamentary chairpersons of ASEAN countries, representatives of 17 observer and guest countries, as well as representatives of nine international organizations, with a total of 568 delegates, who are expected to attend as participants.

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Translator: Melalusa Susthira K, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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