(KPL) On July 24, 2024, in Vientiane, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, chaired three major meetings namely: the Meeting of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Commission, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Interface with the Representatives of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, and the 1st Informal Consultation on the Implementation of the Five-Point Consensus of ASEAN leaders between former, current, and future ASEAN Chairpersons.

The Meeting of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Commission reviewed the progress in implementing the Action Plan for the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (2023–2027) and discussed Timor-Leste's accession to the Treaty.

Additionally, the meeting received reports on the collaboration between the ASEAN Secretariat and the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL) to exchange lessons on nuclear-weapon-free zones.

At the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Interface with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights Representatives, Mr. Yong Chanthalangsy, as the 2024 Chair of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, reported on the progress of human rights activities over the past years, including the protection of women's and children's rights, combating violence, the rights of persons with disabilities, and anti-human trafficking, as well as preparing a new Five-Year Work Plan (2026-2030) aligned with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

ASEAN Foreign Ministers acknowledged the progress made by the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights and its contributions to promoting and protecting human rights in the region, as well as encouraging the Commission to continue its mandate and effectively implement human rights activities for 2025.

DPM Saleumxay also held bilateral meetings with several ASEAN member countries to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation.

KPL