(KPL) ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat Meeting (AEM) was held on March 9, in Luang Prabang province.

Chaired by Minister of Industry and Commerce Mr Malaythong Kommasith  under the slogan "Increasing ASEAN connectivity and strength". Participating in this meeting were ASEAN Economic Minister, Commerce and Industry Minister Timor Leste on behalf of observer country and ASEAN Secretariat General.

Mr Malaythong remarked in the meeting: On behalf of the Government of the Lao PDR, I am very happy and honored to welcome you to Luang Prabang, a world heritage city, one of the charming tourist destinations of the Lao PDR.

Coming to meet and participate in our meeting today shows the commitment of ASEAN members to continue working together to discuss the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and defining the vision of creating an ASEAN community in 2045.

We hope that Timor-Leste will join the ASEAN family soon, which will increase the strength and prosperity of our region, he said.

He congratulated Indonesia for serving as the chairman of ASEAN in 2023 very well and with gratifying results. Under the leadership of Indonesia, ASEAN has completed many important tasks in moving towards the goal of building the ASEAN Economic Community 2025, which is regarded as laying the foundation and strengthening the achievement of ASEAN's common goals, It is also a demonstration of our commitment, effort and adaptation in facing different challenges in the past year.

This year, Lao PDR is very proud to be honored as the chairman of ASEAN, which is a time with many opportunities and challenges, especially in terms of the conditions of the world and the region are changing in a complex manner, which requires us to strengthen unity as one and cooperate closely to find a way and determine the right way to solve those challenges and simultaneously implement the slogan of ASEAN for the year 2024. Namely: "ASEAN: Increasing connectivity and strength in the future".

Discussions today reflect joint commitment to advance the economic agenda of ASEAN to achieve the set goals. They will jointly consider various important topics of the year 2024, such as: considering the adoption of the ASEAN economic priority work plan, sustainable economic development and cooperation with the world.

In order to ensure the success of Lao PDR's ASEAN chairmanship in 2024, I would like to request you to support and cooperate, which will bring benefits to the people of ASEAN and build strength for our ASEAN community, Malaythong added.

KPL