BRUNEI Darussalam is currently hosting the 34thAsean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) until September 23.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam officiated the opening of the 34th AIPA General Assembly yesterday at The Empire Hotel & Country Club.

His Majesty was greeted upon arrival by the President of 34th AIPA General Assembly, YB Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Diraja Dato Laila Utama Hj Awg Isa bin Pehin Datu Perdana Manteri Dato Laila Utama Hj Awg Ibrahim, who is also the Speaker of the Legislative Council.

Speakers, heads of delegation of AIPA member countries and observer countries/organisations as well as guests of the host were later presented to His Majesty. Prior to the titah by the monarch, the AIPA song was performed by students of Pengiran Anak Puteri Hajah Masna Secondary School.

Earlier, YB Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Diraja Dato Laila Utama Hj Awg Isa received courtesy calls from 22 heads of delegation from AIPA member countries, dialogue partner countries and invited organisations.

Also present were Clerk I (First) to the Legislative Council Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Jaya Dato Paduka Awg Hj Judin bin Hj Asar and Clerk II (Second) to the Legislative Council, Dato Paduka Hj Abd Salam bin Abd Momin as well as AIPA Secretary General, YB Periowsamy Otharam.

Over 300 representatives from 19 countries and five regional and international organisations are in the Sultanate. Representatives from AIPA member countries were led by their speakers and deputy speakers from Asean parliaments.

AIPA General Assembly is also attended by dialogue partners such as Belarus, Canada, China, the European Parliament, India, Japan and the Russian Federation. The host country also invited guests from Germany and Timor-Leste. This year’s General Assembly carries the theme ‘The Role of AIPA in Realising the Asean Community’.

Also present at the opening ceremony were other members of the Legislative Council. - Borneo Bulletin (20 September 2013)