Speaker of Parliament Palmer leads 13 MPs to ASEAN assembly

SINGAPORE: Speaker of Parliament Michael Palmer is leading a delegation of 13 Members of Parliament (MPs) to the 33rd ASEAN Inter—Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in Lombok, Indonesia.

At the meeting, which is being held from 16 to 22 September, delegates will discuss political, economic, social and gender issues affecting the region.

The Office of the Clerk of Parliament said on Monday that these include enhancing public awareness and promoting participation of civil society in ASEAN community building.

They will also focus on fighting poverty, sustainable development, disaster risk reduction and emergency response, as well as the role of women parliamentarians in enhancing pro—women policies in economics, health and education.

The delegates will also hold dialogue meetings with parliamentarians from observer countries —— Australia, Belarus, Canada, China, the European Parliament, India, Japan, South Korea and the Russian Federation.

They will discuss efforts to address climate change, increase parliamentary cooperation and hold multi—lateral dialogue on related issues in the South China Sea.

The MPs in the Singapore delegation are:

Deputy Speaker Mr Charles Chong, MP for Joo Chiat Single Member Constituency (SMC)

Mayor of North West District Dr Teo Ho Pin, MP for Bukit Panjang SMC

Mr Zainudin Nordin, MP for Bishan—Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency (GRC)

Mr Lim Biow Chuan, MP for Mountbatten SMC

Ms Ellen Lee, MP for Sembawang GRC

Dr Lim Wee Kiak, MP for Nee Soon GRC

Ms Sylvia Lim, MP for Aljunied GRC

Dr Chia Shi—Lu, MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC

Mr Ang Wei Neng, MP for Jurong GRC

Ms Foo Mee Har, MP for West Coast GRC

Mr Gan Thiam Poh, MP for Pasir Ris—Punggol GRC

Mr David Ong, MP for Jurong GRC

Mr Zainal Sapari, MP for Pasir Ris—Punggol GRC

— CNA/xq