The 5th Congress of the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions started today /2022-8-18/ in Ulaanbaatar.
More than 30 representatives of constitutional review institutions from 20 member countries of the Association, including Presidents and Chief Justices, are participating in this conference on the theme “Recent Developments of Constitutional Justice in Asia” in person and online.
Mr. Chinbat Namjil, Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court of Mongolia, President of the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions, addressed the opening of the Congress by saying: “The role of the Constitutional Court in the development of constitutionalism is very high in the world, it is not only a measure for the implementation of the rule of law by state authorities and officials but also a guarantee of constitutional maturity. However, due to the rapid penetration of science and technology development and forms of electronic communication into the social and economic life of the world, the principle of the rule of law and the supremacy of the Constitution have been demanded to be further perfected.
In the future, countries are faced with the need to conduct their research with their unique approach, diversify and improve channels for mutual information exchange, and work together at the scientific level to find solutions to some complex social problems. All of which emphasizes the importance of the activities of the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions. There is a need to develop a scientific, cognitive, and practical understanding of constitutionalism, which is the heritage of mankind, within the framework of the cooperation of the member countries of the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions. Therefore, I am confident that further cooperation in this field will be further developed.
Mr. Munkhbat Jamiyan, Chairman of the Standing Committee on State Development of the State Great Khural (Parliament), personally conveyed the greetings from the Chairman of the State Great Khural (Parliament) of Mongolia Mr. Zandanshatar Gombojav to the participants of the Congress.
In the greeting, it was noted that the actions and decisions of the Constitutional Court of Mongolia are aimed at fostering the supremacy of the Constitution, spreading its ideals to the public, explaining the concept of the Constitution and its content, and especially making every citizen of Mongolia aware of the basic concept of the Constitution, has become a major factor in determining the way to solve the problems of constitutional law science. In addition, the fact that there are many disputes related to human rights and freedoms in the decisions made by the Constitutional Court of Mongolia indicates that human rights and freedoms are the core issues that the Constitutional Court focuses on. We consider it a good precedent that the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions, in carrying out its goals of protecting human rights, ensuring democracy, implementing the rule of law, promoting cooperation between member states, and exchanging experience and information, ensures the open participation of its members in all activities of the Association.
On the first day of the Association’s Congress, the Opening Board of Members Meeting of the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions was held, and issues such as recruiting new members and amending the Association’s Statute were discussed.
Within the framework of the Congress, presentations were made on the topic of “Recent Developments of Constitutional Justice in Asia”, “Constitutional Review in Kazakhstan: Tasks and Prospects at the Present Stage”, “The Constitutional Court’s Role in Protecting the Citizens’ right to health amid pandemic”, “The Constitutional Review in Challenging Times”, “Constitutional reform in Uzbekistan: new stage and development of constitutional control”, “Constitutional Review in Challenging Times – Protection of Personal Information, COVID-19, Judicialization of Politics”, “Constitutional Review in Challenging Times: Test as Opportunity”.
Before the start of this Congress, the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court of Mongolia Mr. Chinbat Namjil held bilateral meetings with the President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Korea Mr. Namseok Yoo, the Chairman of the Constitutional Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. Kairat Mami and the President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Türkiye Mr. Zühtü Arslan and exchanged opinions on the development of bilateral relations and cooperation between the Constitutional Courts of respective countries. Their Excellencies were paying official visits to Mongolia besides attending the 5th Congress of the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions.
The Constitutional Court of Mongolia was one of the initiators who proposed to establish an organization with regular activities in Asia for cooperation between Constitutional Courts and currently is presiding over this Association, which unites the Constitutional Review Organizations of 20 countries, in 2021-2023.
The 5th Congress of the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions will continue tomorrow.