On 26 July 2016, at the National Convention Center in Vientiane, H.E. Saluemxay Kommasith, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR chaired the 23^rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) with the attendance of Foreign Ministers and delegates from 27 ARF participants and Secretary-General of ASEAN.

The Meeting exchanged views in a frank and candid manner on regional and international issues of mutual interest such as natural disasters, climate change, terrorism, transnational crime, pandemic diseases, irregular migration, human trafficking as well as developments in different parts of the world including the Middle East, Africa, Korean Peninsula and South China Sea. The Meeting also discussed the future direction of the ARF and agreed to continue moving the ARF process forward on the basis of consultation and consensus and at a pace comfortable to all ARF participants.

The Meeting reviewed implementation of ARF activities in the Inter-Sessional Year 2015-2016 and adopted the programme of work for the next Inter-Sessional Year 2016-2017. The meeting adopted 3 statements namely 1. ARF Statement on Strengthening Cooperation in the Management of Cross-Border Movement of Criminals; 2. ARF Ministerial Statement on Enhancing Cooperation among Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies; and 3.ARF Ministerial Statement on Recent Tragic Terrorist.

At the end of the Meeting, the Chair introduced the publication of the 2016 ARF Annual Security Outlook which is an important document in fostering confidence building, mutual understanding and transparency among ARF participants, and reinforcing ARF toward preventive diplomacy.