The Federation Council delegation led by Federation Council Deputy Speaker Konstantin Kosachev took part in the 42nd AIPA General Assembly.
Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev delivered a video address at the first plenary session of the 42nd General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). The event is taking place under the chairmanship of Brunei between 23 and 25 August. It is devoted to the development of inter-parliamentary cooperation in integrating digital technologies in line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.
The senator noted that the development of relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a priority when it comes to Russia’s foreign policy in the region. “The year 2021 is marked by a double anniversary – the 30th anniversary of Russia-ASEAN relations and the 25th anniversary of the full-scale Russia-ASEAN dialogue. Our foreign ministers held a meeting in July on this occasion and outlined a list of tasks that we have to deal with, as well as at the highest level, including the adoption of a comprehensive action plan to enhance cooperation in 2021–2025.”
According to Konstantin Kosachev, the member countries are continuing to concentrate on stepping up cooperative efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic, in particular making vaccines universally available. “Russia is providing ASEAN with the necessary advisory and practical assistance; we are sending epidemiologists, test systems and medicine to the region. Steps are being made to launch the licensed production of the Sputnik V vaccine in Southeast Asia,” the senator said.
Speaking of inter-parliamentary cooperation within AIPA, the Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council said that it was regrettable that for the second year in a row, the AIPA General Assemblies have not included dialogue meetings with observers, and suggested holding them online if the restrictions remain in force.
While touching upon the theme of the General Assembly, Konstantin Kosachev told the parliamentarians about Russia’s Digital Economy national project that aims to make Russia digital with an integrated digital environment and ecosystem of services by 2025, which will make it possible to increase the national GDP by over 30 percent.
Konstantin Kosachev emphasised Russia’s readiness to share experience in digital transformation, ASEAN’s priority area, including the experience of introducing digital solutions tested in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), including the Travel Without COVID-19 mobile app and the Work Without Borders integrated search system.
According to the senator, Russia aims to establish a dialogue platform with the ASEAN ten member states on digitalisation of the urban economy as part of the ASEAN Smart Cities Network. A range of joint projects to facilitate electronic commerce, the creation of a network for female entrepreneurs, the introduction of innovations in the field of agriculture and the digitalisation of small and medium-sized businesses will become Russia’s real contribution to the ASEAN Digital Community.
The Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council invited ASEAN representatives to take part in the Third Eurasian Women’s Forum and the World Conference on Intercultural and Interfaith Dialogue. The World Conference will take place between 16 and 18 May 2022 in St Petersburg.