This photo shows the opening ceremony of the 44th and 45th
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits and related summits in Vientiane, Laos, Oct. 9, 2024. [Photo/Media Center of ASEAN Summits]
The 44th and 45th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related summits concluded in Vientiane on Friday, highlighting a more connected and resilient region to promote global peace and development.
The summits adopted and noted more than 90 outcome documents, said Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone at the closing ceremony, emphasizing the importance of ASEAN collective efforts to ensure the continuity of ASEAN Community building process.
The prime minister announced the summits and Laos' 2024 ASEAN chairmanship a success, saying participating countries agreed to further enhance a more effective and efficient, and mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas.
"We have comprehensive, candid, constructive, and fruitful discussions," he said.
The implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 lays a solid foundation for the development of strategic plans to implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 with the objective to build a resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centered ASEAN Community, he said.
At the ceremony, Laos handed over the ASEAN chairmanship for 2025 to Malaysia.
Founded in 1967, ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The bloc has established mechanisms such as China-ASEAN, ASEAN Plus Three, and the East Asia Summit, becoming important platforms for advancing regional cooperation and integration.
This year also witnesses several leaders' debut at the summits, including Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
