VIENTIANE: The 44th and 45th Asean Summit and Related Summits kicked off with the presence of top leaders from the 10 countries of the economic bloc in the Laotian capital on Wednesday (Oct 9).
As the chair of Asean this year, Laos has set the tagline of the summit as “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”, which is in line with its goal of transforming Laos from being merely landlocked into a centre of regional integration.
The event started off with Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and his wife welcoming the presence of top Asean leaders at the National Convention Centre (NCC) in Vientiane.
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After that, Sonexay delivered an officiating speech, followed by Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith’s speech.
Among the Asean leaders present were Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and Indonesian Vice President Ma’ruf Amin.
Others attending included Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr, Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmåo and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Anwar arrived at the Wattay International Airport at around 8.40pm on Tuesday (Oct 8) and he is expected to deliver a speech in a closed-door plenary session with Asean leaders.
After his speech, Anwar is expected to attend several related summits such as the Asean Leaders’ Interface with Representative of Asean Inter-Parliamentary (Aipa).
Anwar is also expected to meet the Timor-Leste Prime Minister in a closed-door bilateral meeting, followed by the Asean Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of Asean Business Advisory Council, and also the Asean Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of Asean Youth.
After that, Anwar is expected to have a closed-door bilateral meeting with the Singapore Prime Minister and he will end the day by attending a dinner hosted by the Malaysian Ambassador to Laos at the Rumah Malaysia in Vientiane.
The 44th and 45th Asean Summit and Related Summit that began today will take place till Friday (Oct 11).
