Vientiane, 30 September 2008
 
 
Honorable Speaker/President
 
 
Excellency,

Pursuant to the decision of the 16th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) held in Auckland, New Zealand from 20-24 January 2008, the National Assembly of Lao People’s Democratic Republic has been appointed to host of the 17th Annual Meeting of the APPF.

In this respect, on behalf of the National Assembly of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, it is my great pleasure to cordially invite you and your parliamentary colleagues to attend the 17th APPF Annual Meeting which will be held from 11 to 15 January 2009 in Vientiane Capital, Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

The 17th Annual Meeting will focus on issues concerning politics, security, economy and trade, regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, operation and functioning of the APPF and, other topics of common interest in the promotion of regional stability and prosperity. I am convinced that the forthcoming meeting of the APPF will present an occasion for Asia- Pacific parliamentarians to exchange views, discuss opportunities and challenges of our era in the endeavor to promote well-being of our people, hence actively contributing to peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region and throughout the world.

To this end, please find enclosed the tentative programs, general information, registration and hotel reservation forms. The draft agenda is currently under consideration by the APPF Executive Committee. Once the agenda is approved, it will be uploaded to the APPF-17 website with other documents at: http://www.na.gov.la/appf17

Participating delegations wishing to sponsor resolutions to the 17th Annual Meeting are kindly requested to submit their draft and relevant supporting documents to the APPF-17 Secretariat no later than 30 November 2008. Please kindly note that, with reference to comments made by delegations during the previous Annual Meetings, the 17th Meeting shall aim to keep low volume of resolutions.

I look forward to warmly welcoming you and your parliamentary delegation’s active participation in the 17th Annual Meeting of the APPF in Vientiane.

Please accept, Excellency, my best wishes and the assurances of my highest consideration.

 
 
   
Sincerely Yours,
   
   
Thongsing Thammavong
President