KPL
(KPL) The 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings concluded successfully on July 27, after four days of discussions led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, Saleumxay Kommasith.
(KPL) The 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings concluded successfully on July 27, after four days of discussions led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, Saleumxay Kommasith.
DPM Saleumxay expressed Lao PDR’s honour in assuming the ASEAN Chairmanship this year under the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience.” It marks the third time the Lao PDR has chaired ASEAN.
From July 24-27, 25 ministerial level meetings took place, alongside numerous bilateral meetings and consultations. ASEAN foreign ministers and their counterparts from dialogue partner countries engaged in comprehensive and candid discussions.
Key Outcomes and Developments
During the 57th AMM, participants reviewed the progress in implementing the nine priority areas of this year’s ASEAN Chairmanship. They noted the advancement in the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the strategic plans for the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, set to be adopted next year.
Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone: The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to engaging with Nuclear Weapon States for their early accession to the Protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty. They also approved Timor-Leste’s accession to the SEANWFZ Treaty and are preparing for its early accession.
Timor-Leste Membership: The meeting welcomed progress in the Roadmap for Timor-Leste’s full membership in ASEAN. Timor-Leste’s Foreign Minister participated in all meetings as an observer.
Treaty of Amity and Cooperation: The growing interest of non-regional countries to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) was welcomed. There are currently 54 High Contracting Parties to the TAC, and the accession of Algeria, Finland, Luxembourg, Spain, and Mexico is anticipated.
Strengthening ASEAN Unity and Centrality
The foreign ministers emphasized the importance of reinforcing ASEAN unity and Centrality in relations with external partners through ASEAN-led mechanisms such as ASEAN Plus One, ASEAN Plus Three, East Asia Summit, ASEAN Regional Forum, and ADMM-Plus. This is to build mutual trust, confidence, and an inclusive regional architecture with ASEAN at its core.
Post Ministerial Conferences: Eleven Post Ministerial Conferences were held with ASEAN Dialogue Partners, including Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. They reviewed cooperation progress and charted future directions in areas like trade, investment, connectivity, food and energy security, youth, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
Commemorations and New Partnerships
The meetings highlighted significant anniversaries and new partnerships:
ASEAN-Australia Summit: Celebrated the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations.
ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership: Established last year.
ASEAN-ROK Dialogue Relations: Agreed to commemorate the 35th Anniversary this year and establish the ASEAN-ROK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the ASEAN Summits in October.
ASEAN-New Zealand Relations:Set to commemorate the 50th Anniversary next year.
Adopted Documents
Several key documents were adopted and endorsed: Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2025-2029); ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Joint Statement on Strengthening Humanitarian Mine Action Cooperation; Joint Statement of ASEAN and Russia Foreign Ministers Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Russia’s Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia; ASEAN-UK Joint Ministerial Statement: Enhancing Connectivity for a Prosperous and Sustainable Future; and Joint Statement on the Establishment of the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Mekong Framework Meetings
Three ministerial meetings under the Mekong framework were held, including 15th Mekong-Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting; 12th Mekong-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting; 3rd Mekong-U.S. Partnership Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
Regional and International Issues
The meetings included candid exchanges on regional and international issues, including Myanmar, the Korean Peninsula, the South China Sea, Ukraine, and the Middle East.
Looking Ahead
The successful outcomes of the 57th AMM and Related Meetings lay a strong foundation for the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits to be held in October in Vientiane.
DPM Saleumxay extended his gratitude to all participants and the media, encouraging them to explore Laos further during their stay.
KPL
