Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC) Participates in 46th AIPA General Assembly in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 16–22 September 2025

The Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC) had the honor of participating as Guest of the Host at the 46th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), held under the leadership of H.E. Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Johari bin Abdul, President of AIPA and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malaysia.

Themed “Parliament at the Forefront for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable ASEAN”, this year’s assembly highlighted the role of legislatures in advancing regional integration, sustainability, and citizen-centered governance. ISC’s participation marked a significant step in ASEAN’s engagement with emerging inter-parliamentary platforms.

Representing ISC, Hon. Ek Nath Dhakal, Secretary General of ISC addressed the plenary session alongside parliamentary leaders from across Southeast Asia. He expressed gratitude to the Parliament of Malaysia and AIPA leadership for the special invitation and emphasized the timeliness of the Assembly as the world faces climate change, geopolitical instability, economic disruptions, and social inequalities.

Hon. Dhakal introduced the ISC as a premier global parliamentary platform bringing together Speakers of Parliament and legislative leaders from across continents. He explained that the mission of the ISC is anchored on four key pillars: fostering dialogue and reconciliation to prevent conflict and advance peace; promoting legislative innovation and effective oversight for balanced progress; advancing inclusive policies that strengthen families and social cohesion; and embracing cultural and religious diversity as a foundation for building trust and mutual respect.

Looking forward, Hon. Dhakal invited AIPA member parliaments to the upcoming ISC High-Level Conference in Islamabad, Pakistan under the theme “Peace, Security, and Development.” He also proposed institutionalizing ISC–AIPA cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding, which received positive responses from delegates.

During the Assembly, ISC engaged with ASEAN leaders including the Speakers of Cambodia, Singapore, Vietnam, Timor-Leste, and Brunei, as well as international parliamentarians and representatives from UN Women, ICAPP, UNOCT, and PCAsia. ISC also joined the AIPA Distinguished Service Awards, congratulating Hon. Jose de Venecia Jr. and Hon. Gina de Venecia for their lifetime contributions to parliamentary diplomacy.

ISC’s recognition at AIPA 2025 reinforced its credibility as a platform for peace, sustainability, and inter-regional cooperation. The Kuala Lumpur assembly marked a milestone in ISC’s journey, strengthening its visibility within ASEAN and positioning it as a trusted partner for regional and global parliamentary engagement.