By: Satya Wibisono *)
Indonesia will host the 44th AIPA in August 2023. The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) was formerly known as the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organization (AIPO). The birth process started from the desire of the members of the Parliament of ASEAN member countries who seek to foster a common understanding in assisting and encouraging closer cooperation, including bridging the resolution of problems that occur in ASEAN countries. Currently, AIPA consists of 10 Parliaments from ASEAN Member Countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam and Myanmar).
The 44th General Session of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) this time will be held in Jakarta from 5 to 10 August 2023. As the host, through the 44th AIPA session, the Indonesian Parliament is increasingly showing its existence at the international level after successfully holding the Session The 144th General Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Bali and the 8th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20) in Jakarta 2022.
In this case, the Head of the BKSAP Regional Cooperation Desk of the DPR RI, Putu Supadma Rudana said, through this theme the parliament’s role is to be more responsive to guarding the stability and prosperity of the Southeast Asian region where the green economy is the main reference.
Apart from that, Putu also explained the concept of a green economy going forward in accordance with global commitments in achieving SDG’s. The aim is that sustainable development on the 2030 agenda is a combination, composition between prosperity, growth or sustainable economic growth in which human and environmental aspects are not abandoned.
This activity also demonstrates Indonesia’s commitment to encouraging ASEAN to work together more intensively and collaboratively in implementing green economy and overcoming various regional challenges related to society, environment and growth.
AIPA’s main goal is politically to encourage regional stability, how AIPA can safeguard the ASEAN region, which is truly stable and of course so that in the future peace will be maintained. This is because currently many major global powers are trying to enter the ASEAN region. So that the ASEAN parliament must be responsive to be able to oversee the various challenges of ASEAN.
The theme adopted at the 44th General Assembly of AIPA in Jakarta is a responsive parliament for a stable and prosperous ASEAN , whose concept is more towards green economy. there are three key words in the 44th AIPA General Assembly which takes the theme ” Responsive Parliaments for A Stable and Prosperous ASEAN “. The first is responsiveness, the second is stability, and the third is well-being.
Through AIPA, it is hoped that Indonesia will exert influence on the parliaments of ASEAN countries to encourage stability in the regional region by providing mutual strength and support to one another. As for the third keyword, namely welfare, he hopes that the 44th AIPA General Assembly will be able to encourage the realization of an economic increase in the ASEAN region and a transition towards a green economy.
The 44th AIPA General Assembly will be a momentum to show that Indonesia is very capable of leading the region and providing inspiration and motivation for ASEAN countries. In addition, the 44th General Assembly of AIPA in Jakarta demonstrates Indonesia’s commitment to giving full attention to addressing issues including democracy, human rights, politics, economics, socio-culture, youth, environment and gender equality issues.
Based on this, the Chairperson of the Indonesian Parliament, Puan Maharani, is committed to pushing the issue of gender equality in the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). Puan stressed the importance of providing opportunities for women to play a role in various fields. The need for awareness of equal access and roles for men and women in public life. Especially in decision-making positions, including in the world of politics.
Previously, the DPR RI had held a series of pre-AIPA General Session events, one of which was the Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (WAIPA) or Committee for AIPA Parliamentary Women held in Padang, West Sumatra, in June 2023.
The WAIPA session carried the theme ‘Enhancing ASEAN Resilience through Women Leadership and Gender-Responsive Parliament’. Through WAIPA, ASEAN countries seek to forge a more inclusive and resilient shared commitment to women’s groups. The importance of women’s involvement in the ASEAN parliament and trying to realize this commitment. The struggle for gender equality is a collective struggle. Involving women in decision-making is a real step towards promoting gender equality at the ASEAN level.
Indonesia is one of the countries in ASEAN that continues to prioritize gender equality. Many important positions are filled by women, including in the world of politics. with the first female president, female vice president, female DPR Speaker, and many female ministers and regional heads. Many women in Indonesia have proven their capacity and capability as good leaders and on an equal footing with men.
The DPR RI continues to propose efforts to increase the role of women in social life up to the state, one of which is the Draft Law on Mother and Child Welfare (RUU KIA). One of the issues raised in the MCH Bill is supporting the role of working mothers to ensure that women can carry out their responsibilities as mothers and continue to develop in their careers.
In the future, this AIPA activity will become a good momentum to become a big leap in the ASEAN region to work together in synergy to become a community entity to fight for all its potential. By moving quickly together and comprehensively, ASEAN will become an inspiration for the Asia Pacific region, Europe, Africa and other world regions.
*) Lantern Research Institute researcher