According to Kanai, during the session, members of APA were divided into committees, which in turn reviewed and discussed more than 10 draft resolutions inclusive of alleviation of poverty, combating corruption and terrorism, and promotion of peace.
Kanai said Palau, with estimated population of 20,000, is the least populated member of the APA.
“I was humbled to have been selected to chair one of the subcommittees that reviewed proposed APA resolutions and at the same time proud to have the opportunity to participate in the sessions amongst representatives of APA member countries,” Kanai said.
Kanai said that during the conference the Indian and Kazakh parliaments officially join the APA, bringing the number of APA members to 41.
The APA Charter and Tehran Declaration lay out a framework of cooperation among Asian countries for “Asian Integration” of which Palau and other Pacific countries are included.
The APA was established in 2006.It is a continuation of Association of Asian Parliamentary for Peace (AAPP), which was established in 1999.
The AAPP was established in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to promote unity toward the single purpose of peace and a concrete framework for regional cooperation to strengthen human rights protection and democracy. The AAPP was to cultivate strategies for the realization of peace and the right to development as well as social, cultural, and environmental rights of the peoples in Asia.
Kanai added that Palau will host an APA meeting in March of this year.
“I hope to propose a resolution to the APA during this meeting for recognition of Palau in its effort to promote peace,” he said.
He further added that Palau, despite its internal struggles, has managed to uphold many of the APA objectives, especially in regards to the promotion of peace.
Palau has, within its means, provided shelter for Myanmar refugees and just recently, the Ughurs.
