(KPL) On October 7, in Vientiane, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Lao PDR’s ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) Leader, Thongphane Savanphet, presided over the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting.

The meeting was attended by ASEAN SOM Leaders, Timor-Leste’s SOM Leader, the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Political-Security Community, and other ASEAN delegates.

The meeting reviewed the progress made towards strengthening the ASEAN Community through the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025. Officials commended the achievements in advancing the nine priority areas of Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024, including the development of strategic plans for the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

A key topic of discussion was the preparation for Timor-Leste’s full membership in ASEAN. The meeting also addressed the growing interest from non-regional countries in acceding to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). Delegates exchanged views on preparations for the signing ceremony of the Instrument of Accession to the TAC by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, scheduled for October 10, 2024.

The meeting reviewed ASEAN’s external relations, emphasizing the need to strengthen ASEAN unity and Centrality through ASEAN-led mechanisms. Additionally, officials discussed preparations for the upcoming 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits, scheduled for October 9-11, 2024, in Vientiane.

These discussions included finalizing ASEAN Leaders' programs and the outcome documents for the summits. The week-long high-level gathering will feature 16 summits and will be attended by more than 20 heads of government from ASEAN member states, ASEAN Dialogue Partners, and international and regional organizations.

KPL