Remarks by H.E. Sonexay SIPHANDONE, Prime Minister

 of the Lao PDR at the Handover Ceremony

of the ASEAN Chairmanship to the Lao PDR

7 September, 2023, Jakarta, Indonesia

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His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia

Your Majesty,

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

First of all, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to President Joko Widodo as well as the Government and people of Indonesia for the successful conclusion of the 43^rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.

We highly commend the achievements under Indonesia’s ASEAN Chairmanship with the theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”.

The Lao PDR is honoured to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024, and we will build upon the achievements made under Indonesia’s ASEAN Chairmanship and success of ASEAN over the past years. We will focus on further consolidating ASEAN Community by, among others, enhancing connectivity and resilience to seize opportunities and address challenges in a changing geo-political and geo-economic landscape.

To achieve a more connected and resilient ASEAN, we will continue collective efforts in the followings, among others:

1. Enhancing ASEAN cooperation, ASEAN’s external relations, and strengthening ASEAN unity and centrality in the evolving regional architecture for regional peace, stability and development;
2. Enhancing connectivity, narrowing the development gap, promoting carbon neutrality, and advancing digital transformation and economic integration;
3. Promoting people-to-people exchanges and cooperation for climate resilience and health development.

The Lao PDR stands ready to work closely with all ASEAN Member States and external partners to ensure the continued strengthening of the ASEAN Community and the success of the Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship under the theme: “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”.

We look forward to warmly welcoming you all to the Lao PDR and to the “Visit Laos Year 2024”.

Thank you.