Asean countries affirm unity and reject bloc confrontation as Laos gets ready for chairmanship in 2024

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo (left) passes the Asean's hammer to Laos’ Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone during the closing ceremony of the 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in Jakarta on September 7, 2023. - AFP

VIENTIANE/JAKARTA (Xinhua): Voices affirming unity and the need to reject bloc confrontation have come under the spotlight in the just-concluded three-day summit here by Asean leaders with Asian and Western counterparts.

This unity promise comes as current chair of Asean Indonesia handed over the chairmanship for 2024 to Laos at the closing ceremony.