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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane led the Lao delegation in a series of high-level ASEAN meetings on July 23, including the 27th ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and the 16th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
At the ASEAN Plus Three meeting, foreign ministers reviewed progress in implementing the 2023–2027 ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation Work Plan and agreed to strengthen collaboration on economic resilience, food and energy security, and combating transnational crime, including online scams and money laundering. The meeting also welcomed the adoption of the ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Cooperation Work Plan 2026–2030 and discussed preparations for the 29th ASEAN Plus Three Summit in November.
During the 33rd ARF Foreign Ministers' Meeting, participants adopted the ARF Annual Security Outlook 2026 and endorsed the Manila Plan of Action 2026–2036, which will guide regional security cooperation over the next decade. Ministers also exchanged views on developments in the Middle East, energy security, climate change, and transnational crime. The meeting approved the United Kingdom as the 28th member of the ASEAN Regional Forum.
At the 16th EAS Foreign Ministers' Meeting, ministers reviewed implementation of the EAS Plan of Action 2024–2028 and agreed to deepen cooperation in transnational crime prevention, clean energy, connectivity, public health, disaster management, digital capacity building, and higher education. Preparations for the 21st East Asia Summit in November were also discussed.
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