Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – The 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits opened on September 9th in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. The summit's theme is "ASEAN: Strengthening Connectivity and Resilience." Leaders and government officials from ASEAN member states, observer states, dialogue partners, and international and regional organizations attended. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet delivered an important speech at the summit.
In his opening address, Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, whose country holds the rotating ASEAN chairmanship, stated that ASEAN's achievements over the years have brought tangible benefits to the people of the region, reflecting the region's shared aspirations, determination, unity, and diversity. These achievements further demonstrate that guiding regional cooperation in the "ASEAN way" is in line with the development situation in Southeast Asia. The current international and regional situation is undergoing rapid and complex changes, facing multiple challenges. Against this backdrop, ASEAN should continue to uphold its common goals of peace, stability, and sustainable development, and adhere to multilateralism based on equality and mutual benefit.
In his welcoming address, Lao Prime Minister Somxay Kommasith stated that the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related summits provide an opportunity to review the ASEAN Community building process and the implementation of the "ASEAN Community Vision 2025." We will actively formulate the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 to plan future cooperation directions; at the same time, we will continue to strengthen cooperation with countries outside the region to strive for the common goal of promoting regional and global peace, stability, and sustainable development.
In his speech, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasized that Cambodia fully supports the priorities of Laos, the ASEAN chair, particularly in promoting connectivity and enhancing resilience, which reflects ASEAN's shared aspiration and vision for a strong, prosperous, and integrated region.
He pointed out that in the face of increasingly complex and uncertain security issues, ASEAN as a whole should be proactive, forward-looking, and strategic, and fully prepare for the future. He reiterated ASEAN's commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and multilateral trading system.
Prime Minister Hun Manet also called on ASEAN to expand trade cooperation among member states and with ASEAN partners, fully leveraging the enormous potential of emerging areas such as the digital economy, green transformation, green economy, and resilient supply chains to achieve sustainable high growth.
He also expressed his support for East Timor's swift accession to full ASEAN membership and reiterated his support for any pragmatic or innovative approaches that contribute to achieving this goal. In addition, Prime Minister Hun Manet welcomed external partners who wish to join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) and emphasized the importance of building relations with ASEAN based on the principles of mutual respect, trust, and mutual benefit.
It is understood that the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related East Asia Cooperation Leaders' Meetings will be held from September 9th to 11th, during which the 27th ASEAN-China (10+1) Leaders' Meeting, the 27th ASEAN Plus Three (10+3) Leaders' Meeting, and the 19th East Asia Summit (EAS) will also be held.
