(KPL) President Thongloun Sisoulith has been awarded the "Distinguished ASEAN Leader Award" by the KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, a prominent think tank in Malaysia and the ASEAN region.

The award was presented to President Thongloun by Mr. Tan Sri Michael Yeoh, President of the KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific and the ASEAN Economic Club, in the presence of officials from both sides. This prestigious award is the highest honour ever bestowed by the institute on an ASEAN leader.

President Thongloun is the first ASEAN leader to receive this recognition, which acknowledges his significant contributions to the development of the Lao PDR and his role in advancing ASEAN's collective mission.

In his acceptance speech, President Thongloun expressed heartfelt gratitude, emphasizing that the award was not only a personal achievement but also a reflection of the efforts of all sectors in the Lao PDR working towards national development and ASEAN’s goals of promoting peace, stability, and economic integration.

The President also commended the KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, the ASEAN Economic Club, and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council for their collaboration with the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry in organizing the 2024 ASEAN Leadership and Partnership Forum in Vientiane.

He extended his best wishes for the success of the forum, particularly in enhancing ASEAN’s connectivity, trade facilitation, investment, digital transformation, food security, and sustainable development. President Thongloun further underscored the importance of cooperation with ASEAN dialogue partners from both government and private sectors to boost trade and investment.

The forum is a key event supporting the Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024, under the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” and is expected to yield successful outcomes. 

KPL