Canberra is hosting to a meeting of parliamentarians from around the world, with the 28th Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum opened today.
The APPF is an annual forum where national parliamentarians from the Asia Pacific region meet to identify and discuss important matters of common concern.
Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the APPF Executive Committee, the Hon Tony Smith MP, says this year's forum brings together more than 350 delegates from parliaments in 30 countries.
‘Since the first APPF in 1993, the forum has been an incredible opportunity for parliamentarians to share experiences with colleagues from around the world,’ Mr Smith said.
‘I’m especially pleased that at this year's forum, we are welcoming delegates from countries in the Pacific Island Forum.’
‘Events such as APPF28 form part of the Australian Parliament’s International Program, which helps to promote understanding, sharing of knowledge and democratic development with our fellow parliaments around the world.’
Australia was one of nine originating countries of the APPF. The Australian Parliament hosted the second preparatory meeting in Canberra in 1991 before the inaugural meeting of the APPF in January 1993 in Tokyo. Australia last hosted the APPF in 2000.
Delegates will participate in a number of plenary sessions, discussing subjects such as security, economics and trade, and regional cooperation. At the conclusion of the forum, a joint communique will be published, outlining all agreed resolutions from APPF28.
For more information about the forum, visit appf28.org.