Meeting of APA Standing Committee on Social and Cultural Affairs Convened in Bhutan
APA News Desk
2 September 2017
The meeting of APA Standing Committee on Social and Cultural Affairs convened in Thimphu, Kingdom of Bhutan, from 31 August to 2 September 2017.
Delegations from Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Cyprus, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lao, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, UAE and Vietnam attended the meeting.
H.E. Mr. Tshogpon Jigme Zangpo (Speaker of the National Assembly of Bhutan), H.E. Dr. Mohammad-Reza Majidi (APA Secretary-General), H.E. Dr. Nguon Nehl (High Representative of APA President), Honorable Mr. Gerald Daly (UN Resident Coordinator), and the Guest of Honor, H.E. Mr. Lyonchen Tobgay (Prime Minister of Bhutan) presented short speeches in the inaugural ceremony.
The Speaker of the National Assembly of Bhutan chaired the meeting. Honorable General Nipat Thonglek of Thailand was elected as the Vice-Chairman. And Honorable Mr. Yara Suos from Cambodia acted as the meeting's Rapporteur.
The Chairman opened the discussions on the topics concerning the Standing Committee and asked the participants to consider the following draft resolutions and make observations accordingly.
1. Draft Resolution on Measures to Promote Cultural Diversity and Protect Cultural Heritage in Asia.
2. Draft Resolution on Asian Integration through Information and Communication Technology.
3. Draft Resolution on Collaboration on Health Equity in Asia.
4. Draft Resolution on Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers in Asia.
5. Draft Resolution on Asian Parliamentarians against Corruption.
6. Draft Resolution on APA Women Parliamentarians.
7. Draft Resolution on Promoting Inter-Faith Dialogue and Harmony among World Religions.
8. Draft Resolution on Legal and Legislative Cooperation in Combating the Smuggling of Cultural Items in Asia.
9. Draft Resolution on Effective Cooperation in Combating Illicit Drug Trafficking in Asia.
10. Draft Resolution on Humanitarian Aid to Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Myanmar on the Verge of a Humanitarian Catastrophe.
The draft resolutions were adopted unanimously by the participating APA Member Delegations and will be submitted later this year to APA's Executive Council and Tenth Plenary for final adoption.
The closing session was held in the evening of Friday, 1 September 2017, and presided by the Chairman of the National Council of Bhutan, Honorable Dasho Dr. Sonam Kuenga. All of the attending delegations thanked the Kingdom of Bhutan for hosting the meeting and offering warm hospitality to them.
The meeting of APA Women Parliamentarians Committee also convened on the sideline of the said meeting. Statements were presented by the participants, mainly in support of the promotion of the status of women and condemning all forms of violence against women in Asia. Many delegations made references to the high position and responsibilities of women in Asian parliaments and public administrations. The meeting considered and discussed the draft resolution on APA Woman Parliamentarians.
- 02 September 2017
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