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Laos suggests future direction of Asean-UN cooperation

Laos has proposed that health, human resource development, and the Sustainable Development Goals be the focus of future cooperation between Asean and the United Nations (UN).
Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith made the proposal at the annual Asean-United Nations Ministerial Meeting held on October 21 via video link.

 

Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Pham Binh Minh chaired the meeting on behalf of the Asean chairmanship.
In terms of public health, the Lao delegation proposed cooperation in the sharing of information and best practices, as well as in research and the production of medicines and vaccines for use against Covid-19, and ensuring affordable access to these when they become available.
The Lao delegation also called for more cooperation between the Asean Institute for Peace and Reconciliation and the United Nations in capacity building, development of mediation and negotiation personnel, and enhancement of the role of women and young people.
The delegation, which was led by Mr Saleumxay, also stressed the need for continuing efforts to fulfil the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals towards 2030.
Other issues to which UN-Asean cooperation should be directed were named as the prevention, response to and addressing the impact of natural disasters, climate change, and the development of Smart Cities.
Meeting participants discussed current issues of concern in the region and internationally, particularly the Covid-19 pandemic, peace, and security.
The Asean-UN Ministerial Meeting voiced appreciation for the achievements in recent cooperation between Asean and the United Nations, especially implementation of the Asean-UN cooperation action plan for 2016-2020 involving the three pillars of the Asean Community, implementation of cooperation programmes and projects under the integrating framework of the Asean Vision towards 2025, and the Sustainable Development Goals towards 2030.
The meeting agreed that cooperation contributed to the maintenance of peace, security, and development assistance in the region, as well worldwide.
Participants adopted a new Asean-UN cooperation action plan for 2021-2025, and reiterated the important role of the United Nations as a multilateral organisation in maintaining and promoting peace, stability, and security in the region and around the world as stated in the UN Charter.


 

By Somsack Pongkhao
(Latest Update
October 26,
2020)


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