Press Statement
By the Chair of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat
29 January 2024, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR
1. The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMM Retreat) under the Chairmanship of H.E. Mr. Saleumxay KOMMASITH, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR was convened on 29 January 2024, in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR to kick off the Lao PDR’s Chairmanship of ASEAN 2024, under the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience.” The AMM Retreat was also attended by Foreign Minister of Timor-Leste as Observer.
2. We had in-depth discussions on the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and priorities for the Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2024, and on concrete and sustainable ways to further strengthen the ASEAN Community, ASEAN unity, Centrality, and resilience amidst regional and global challenges. We also exchanged views on ASEAN’s external relations and recent regional and international developments of common interest and concern. We reaffirmed ASEAN’s key principles, as well as reiterated the importance of shared values and norms, as enshrined in the ASEAN Charter and other key fundamental instruments of ASEAN.
H.E. Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith, President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and Madame Naly Sisoulith.