Presidency of the APPF
The Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) lost its founder and Honorary President with the passing of the Hon Yasuhiro Nakasone on Friday 29 November 2019.
Mr Nakasone facilitated the Presidency of the APPF establishment and development of the APPF and continued to support the organisation for 27 years. He laid the groundwork for the Forum’s underlying principles of commitment to inclusive, constructive and respectful dialogue between parliaments of the Asia-Pacific region.
At the 28th Annual Meeting of the APPF, the Forum extended its sincerest condolences to Japan and the family of Mr Nakasone. It also agreed to consider amendments to the APPF Rules of Procedure to provide for the new role of President, with the objective of having a single President to advocate for and advise the APPF.
The Forum elected the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of Australia, the Hon Tony Smith MP, as President of the APPF in the first instance.
Message from the President
The APPF provides an important opportunity to influence and shape our region. Identifying and discussing our concerns, challenges, and sharing our successes in an open forum helps to build a strong sense of regional cohesion, understanding and cooperation.
I am honoured to serve as the APPF President and will continue to promote the role of the APPF as an international parliamentary forum.
I am also pleased to announce the establishment of a Secretariat team within the Parliament of Australia, to support my work as President.
The first edition of an APPF newsletter has been developed and is now available. Information about subscribing will also become available shortly.
I look forward to providing further updates to members and steering a path towards the next Annual Meeting, which will be hosted by the Republic of Korea in 2021.
As the APPF community grows, so too does what we can achieve together.
Secretariat
Peter Banson
Program Manager
Alex Cullum
Director
Nichola Leeming
Secretariat Coordinator
Ariel Larkey
Secretariat Officer
Beatrice Duong
Secretariat Officer
APPF28 Meeting in Canberra, Australia
At the invitation of the Parliament of Australia, the 28th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) was held in Canberra from 13 to 16 January 2020. Over 350 delegates from nineteen member countries of the APPF and ten observer countries attended the Annual Meeting.
Outcomes from the meeting are available on the APPF28 page.
APPF29 will be hosted by the Republic of Korea in 2021.
