Vientiane (VNA) – Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries and partners on October 11 attended the closing ceremony of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related meetings in Vientiane, and the handover of the ASEAN Chairmanship from Laos to Malaysia.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone summarised the results of 16 summits hosted by Laos as ASEAN Chair under the theme “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”.
The Lao PM highlighted the progress in implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the results of implementing the nine priority areas under Laos’ ASEAN Chairmanship, which have contributed to the process of promoting a more cohesive and stronger ASEAN Community.
He stressed the importance of cooperation within ASEAN to ensure the continuity of the ASEAN community building process and welcomed the progress in developing strategic plans to implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. These plans focus on all areas related to the ASEAN Community pillars and ASEAN connectivity.
Under the chairmanship of Laos, the plans aimed to build a strong, innovative, flexible and people-centred ASEAN community. He also informed about the preparations for Timor Leste to become an official member of ASEAN, as well as maintaining cooperative relations with partners.
The 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related summits adopted more than 90 documents. This is the basis for sectors to organise and implement activities to make ASEAN more connected and stronger, towards a strong, innovative, flexible and people-centered community, contributing to the common mission of protecting and promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.
The Lao PM expressed his gratitude for the support, cooperation and contributions of ASEAN member countries, partners and the ASEAN Secretariat.
At the ceremony, Laos transferred the ASEAN Chairmanship for 2025 to Malaysia starting from January 1, 2025./.
