(KPL) The 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits, held under the theme "ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience," officially opened this morning in Vientiane, Laos. The opening ceremony was attended by President Thongloun Sisoulith, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, and leaders from ASEAN member states, as well as Timor-Leste.

Senior officials from the ASEAN community pillars, including foreign ministers, ASEAN Senior Officials, the Secretary-General of ASEAN, and representatives from Timor-Leste, also participated in the event.

The summits, scheduled from October 9 to 11, 2024, are among the largest and most significant ASEAN events of the year.

In his opening remarks, President Thongloun Sisoulith extended a warm welcome to the ASEAN heads of state and government, emphasizing the importance of the summit in strengthening regional cooperation.

Reflecting on ASEAN’s 57-year history, he commended the organization’s achievements in fostering peace, stability, and prosperity across Southeast Asia, creating an environment conducive to socio-economic development in member states.

The President also expressed gratitude to ASEAN’s dialogue and external partners, as well as the ASEAN Secretariat, for their continued support of Laos’ role in ASEAN, particularly as the country assumes the ASEAN chairmanship for the third time in 2024. He concluded by wishing the summits success in advancing ASEAN’s collective goals.

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, serving as ASEAN Chair, highlighted the significance of enhancing connectivity and resilience to further ASEAN Community building efforts.

During the ceremony, he presented the ASEAN Prize to the representative of the ASEAN Youth Organization, recognizing its contributions to promoting cultural cooperation and strengthening the ASEAN identity among young people in the region.

The summits will continue over the next three days, focusing on key issues aimed at advancing regional integration and collaboration within ASEAN and with its external partners.

KPL