On the afternoon of 21 November 2022 at Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel and Residence, Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei HENG SAMRIN, President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia and rotating President of the 43rd AIPA, presided over the Meeting of the Committee of Women Parliamentarians of AIPA (WAIPA) of the 43rd AIPA. In his keynote remark delivered at the opening of the Meeting, Samdech AIPA-43 President expressed his confidence on women parliamentarians’ roles which significantly contribute to peace and sustainable and inclusive development.

He also highlighted the need for WAIPA, which is an integral important part of the AIPA General Assembly, to promote a people-centered ASEAN, enhancing women’s empowerment in decision-making process aimed at addressing complex domestic, regional and international challenges.

The WAIPA Meeting was chaired by H.E. Mrs. Lork Kheng, Chairwoman of the Commission on Health, Social Affairs, Veterans, Youth Rehabilitation, Vocational Training and Women's Affairs of the National Assembly of Cambodia and the high representative of H.E. Kittisangahabindit Khuon Sudary, Second Vice-President of National Assembly and AIPA-43’s WAIPA Chair.

It is informed that there are 35 honorable delegates from eight ASEAN countries attended the Meeting. Cambodian WAIPA delegation is led by H.E. Mr. Ouk Damry, Member of the Commission on Investigation and Anti-Corruption of the National Assembly, while H.E. Mrs. Mak Vansitha, Member of the eighth Commission of the National Assembly, acted as rapporteur.

On the occasion, Honorable Mrs. Sabrina Gafarova, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as an AIPA observer, delivered her keynote address, stressing the need for women’s participation in all spheres in order to ensure an entrenched social stability towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG5). She also stressed the importance of the strengthening of women’s equal access to education that will remove barriers to women’s empowerment in political and economic life and other areas.

The WAIPA Meeting was held in the atmosphere of friendship, unity, solidarity and cooperation, together with the approval of the following resolutions:

1-     Resolution on the “Report of the First Meeting of the

Coordinating Committee of WAIPA”

The report highlights the key findings of multi-stakeholder dialogues on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and conflicts on women and girls, the development of holistic and innovative pathways towards a sustainable, inclusive and resilient recovery through the empowerment of women and girls, and recommendations on some key measures to increase women’s equal participation in politics, including the possibility to increase minimum number of women parliamentarians participating in AIPA General Assembly.

2.     Resolution on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment for a Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient COVID-19 Recovery

The Resolution encourages the development of a gender-responsive plan to remove barriers preventing women from fully participating in decision making at all levels and across all sectors. It calls upon the AIPA Member Parliaments to reassess and innovate the existing policies and mechanisms to effectively address gender gaps and inequalities toward achieving sustainable development goal 5 (SDG5).

3.     Resolution on Promoting the Role of Women Parliamentarians in Advancing Women, Peace and Security Agenda.

The Resolution calls upon the AIPA Member Parliaments to monitor the progress of implementing the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and other related Resolutions, and encourages AIPA Member Parliaments to develop capacity building programmes for their parliamentary staff on WPS-related issues.