To face regional challenges

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Saturday pushed for closer cooperation and stronger alliance among Asia-Pacific nations so they can effectively confront regional challenges.

“In the foreseeable future, strong partnerships between APPF (Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum) member countries will be more crucial than ever. With an ever-widening array of challenges confronting the region, the strength of our relations is what may be the key factor that will enable us not only to endure but to even thrive,” he said.

The leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives delivered the closing remarks at the 31st annual APPF conference, which the Philippine Congress hosted.

He said the resolutions drafted, deliberated upon and ultimately adopted during the forum “hold great significance.”

“But what I deem to be of perhaps even greater value were the relationships that we were able to forge and strengthen, and the partnerships that we were able to establish between and among our respective parliaments. In this sense, we were truly faithful to our theme this year – ‘Resilient Partnerships for Peace, Prosperity and Sustainability’,” he said.

Speaker Romualdez said APPF members may have some divergent views since they come from various countries, “but in truth, these are far outnumbered and outweighed by the things we hold in common and the areas and opportunities for mutual collaboration and growth which together we can vigorously pursue.”

“Indeed, we do not live in denial that there are contentious issues which require our collective resolution. But as long as we remain committed to engage with one another in a spirit of respect, dialogue and cooperation, there is always hope,” he added.

He pointed out that the Philippines considers it a privilege and an honor to host the 31st Forum.

“We hope that even in such a short period, we may have been able to share with you what is best in our Filipino culture and that you do consider coming here again,” he told his regional peers.

He said hosting the conference also gave the Philippine delegation the chance to rally support for three major proposals: the country’s bid to be a member of the United Nations Council, amendment of the APPF rules to include young parliamentarians in the group’s annual meetings and the Philippines’ offer to serve as headquarters of the APPF secretariat.

The House leader thanked participants “for giving due consideration to our initiatives.”

He said this year’s forum would not have been productive and successful without their active participation.

He said there were 267 participants with 158 members of parliament from 19 countries who attended the conference in person, and who proposed 37 resolutions that were consolidated into 10, which the assembly adopted.

“Collectively, we were able to discuss and deliberate substantially upon a wide range of urgent regional concerns, and in the end, we were able to adopt worthwhile resolutions that can help our region to attain much higher growth and stability,” he said.

At the close of the 31st Forum, Speaker Romualdez reaffirmed that the country “stands ever ready and willing to support the APPF’s activities across the region.”

“It has been, in fact, a tremendous experience for us to host this year’s forum and to meet all of you. Let me therefore express our deepest appreciation for your coming here and making valuable contributions to this forum,” he told his regional colleagues.

He also thanked his conference co-chairman, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, and the forum secretariat composed of Senate and House personnel for their “hard work and dedication (that) have helped make all this possible.”

He wished the participants a safe trip back home to their respective countries and expressed the hope he would see them again soon.