Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (left) handover the ASEAN Chairmanship gavel to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

                                           
ASEAN Summits conclude, Malaysia takes over Chairmanship from Laos

Summits involving Southeast Asian leaders and between leaders and their dialogue partners came to a close in Vientiane on Friday with the adoption of key documents to advance ASEAN community building and strengthen external cooperation with ASEAN playing ‘a central role’.
Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, representing the country in its role as the ASEAN Chair for 2024, announced the close of the meetings, which took place from October 9-11 under the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”.
Sixteen summits were convened in all, which PM Sonexay described as complete ‘successes’.
“We had frank, candid, and constructive discussions on regional and international issues of common interest and concern,” the Lao leader told a press conference shortly after the meeting.
During the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related Summits, leaders adopted and noted more than 90 outcome documents that aimed to set ASEAN community building on a path to becoming a more connected, resilient and prosperous region, while fostering cooperation with partners outside the 10-member bloc.
“We reiterated the importance of further enhancing cooperation with external partners, while strengthening ASEAN’s unity and ASEAN centrality in the ASEAN-led mechanism and the evolving regional architecture,” the Lao PM stated.
Leaders reviewed implementation of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) of the ASEAN leaders on Myanmar.
“We agreed to uphold ASEAN’s commitment to assist Myanmar in finding a peaceful, durable, Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led political solution though the implementation of the 5PC,” the Lao PM told local and foreign media.
Dr Sonexay said leaders were pleased to note the progress made in the implementation of the Roadmap for Timor-Leste as the country seeks to become the 11th member of ASEAN.
Recognition was also made of the progress in implementing the nine priorities of Laos’ ASEAN Chairmanship 2024, aiming to enhance regional integration and connectivity.
In addition, leaders took note of the progress made to realise the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, and discussed the development of strategic plans to implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 with the objective of building a resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centred ASEAN Community.
The key outcome documents adopted by the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits are as follows:
ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on the Development of Strategic Plans to Implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific for a Future Ready ASEAN and ASEAN-Centred Regional Architecture.
ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Enhancing Supply Chain Connectivity.
ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Promoting Sustainable Agriculture.
ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Strengthening Regional Biosafety and Biosecurity.
Vangvieng Declaration on Promoting Small and Medium-sized Cultural Enterprises Aligned with Green Growth for Sustainable Development.
ASEAN Leaders’ Review and Decision on the Implementation of the Five-Point Consensus, which will serve as one of main references in addressing the crisis in Myanmar.
Key outcomes of ASEAN Summits with external partners include:
- The 27th ASEAN-China Summit adopted five documents, namely the ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Combating Telecommunication Network Fraud and Online Gambling; ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Deepening Cooperation in People-to-People Exchanges; ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Promoting the Development of Smart Agriculture; Joint Statement on Facilitating Cooperation in Building a Sustainable and Inclusive Digital Ecosystem; and the Joint Statement on the Substantial Conclusion of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Negotiations.
- The 25th ASEAN-Republic of Korea (ROK) Summit agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
- The 27th ASEAN-Japan Summit reiterated commitment to strengthen the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership which was elevated last year.
- The 4th ASEAN-Australia Summit reaffirmed shared commitment to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
- The 21st ASEAN-India Summit adopted two documents. The first was the Joint Statement on Strengthening the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace, Stability and Prosperity in the Region in the Context of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific with the Support of India’s Act East Policy; and, secondly, the ASEAN-India Joint Statement on Advancing Digital Transformation. Leaders welcomed the designation of 2025 as ASEAN-India Year of Tourism.
- The 12th ASEAN-US Summit adopted the ASEAN-US Leaders’ Statement on Promoting Safe, Secure and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence.
- The 14th ASEAN-UN Summit reaffirmed shared commitment to promote multilateralism.
The ASEAN-Canada Special Summit on Enhancing ASEAN Connectivity and Resilience adopted the ASEAN-Canada Joint Leaders’ Statement on Enhancing ASEAN Connectivity and Resilience to Further Strengthen the ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership.
The 27th ASEAN Plus Three Summit adopted the ASEAN Plus Three Leaders’ Statement on Strengthening the Connectivity of Regional Supply Chains.
The 19th East Asia Summit (EAS) reiterated the importance of the EAS as the premier leader-led forum for constructive dialogue and cooperation on various areas.
PM Sonexay expressed heartfelt thanks to all those whose support made the summits and Laos’ ASEAN chairmanship successful.
At the closing ceremony of the summits, Prime Minister Sonexay handed over the ASEAN Chairmanship gavel to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia, who will serve as Chair of ASEAN in 2025. Laos’ ASEAN Chairmanship will officially conclude on December 31, 2024.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update October 14, 2024)