Today, Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim received the ASEAN Chairmanship gavel from the Prime Minister of Lao People’s Democratic Republic, His Excellency Sonexay Siphandone, during the Closing Ceremony of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits and Handing Over Ceremony of the ASEAN Chairmanship in Vientiane. The symbolic event marks the assumption of Malaysia as the Chair of ASEAN next year, which will officially commence on 1 January 2025.

The ceremony was attended by the Leaders and representatives of ASEAN Member States, as well as Timor Leste as Observer country. Also in attendance were Ministers and senior officials from all ASEAN Member States.

During the ceremony, the Prime Minister also unveiled the official logo and theme for Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.

In his address, the Prime Minister expressed that Malaysia was honoured to assume the role of Chair of ASEAN for 2025. He underscored Malaysia's commitment to guiding ASEAN towards strengthening regional peace, stability and prosperity.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the significance of 2025 as it marks the 10th anniversary of the formal establishment of the ASEAN Community. Additionally, the Prime Minister stated that next year, ASEAN will adopt the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which will chart the shared future of ASEAN for the next two decades.

The Prime Minister also shared Malaysia’s vision for its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, centred on the chosen theme, pledging to ensure that no one is left behind. He emphasised Malaysia’s aim to enhance regional cooperation through dialogue and collaboration. Guided by ASEAN Centrality, he stressed that Malaysia will work closely with all ASEAN Member States and external partners to champion an open, inclusive and rules-based regional architecture.

The ceremony concluded with a video montage of Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship 2025.

Source: Official Portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia

Original publication date: 11 October 2024

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today participated in the 19^th East Asia Summit (EAS), held in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The 19^th EAS was attended by Heads of State/Government and High Representatives of the EAS participating countries, the Secretary-General of ASEAN and Timor-Leste as Observer. The President of the European Council and the Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation attended the Open Session and briefed the Meeting on enhancing connectivity and on economic integration.

The Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the EAS as the premier Leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political and economic issues of common interest and concern.

Senior Officials of the EAS participating countries gathered for the second time this year for the East Asia Summit Preparatory Senior Officials’ Meeting (EAS Prep-SOM) in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. The Meeting discussed preparations for the 19^th East Asia Summit scheduled to be held in October 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community led the ASEAN Secretariat delegation. Timor-Leste attended as Observer.

Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn today participated in the 14^th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting convened in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The Meeting reviewed EAS cooperation and discussed its future direction, as well as exchanged views on regional and international developments. The EAS participating countries reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the EAS as a Leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political, and economic issues of common interest and concern in the region.

The East Asia Summit (EAS) Senior Officials’ Meeting took place today in Vientiane, Lao PDR with the participation of Senior Officials of all EAS participating countries or their representatives and the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community. Timor-Leste attended as Observer. The meeting reviewed progress in EAS practical cooperation, discussed preparations for the 14^th EAS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in July and the 19^th EAS in October, as well as exchanged views on regional and international developments.

The Third Meeting of the Group of East Asia Summit (EAS) Participating Countries’ Ambassadors to ASEAN in Jakarta (EAS Group) (3/2024 EAS Group Meeting) was held today at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. The Meeting reviewed the implementation of the EAS Plan of Action 2024-2028, discussed preparations for the upcoming 19^th East Asia Summit in October, and exchanged views on regional development cooperation initiatives and security policies and initiatives. Ambassadors of the EAS Participating Countries or their representatives, and the ASEAN Secretariat were in attendance. Timor-Leste attended as Observer.

The Second Meeting of the Group of East Asia Summit (EAS) Participating Countries’ Ambassadors to ASEAN in Jakarta (EAS Group) and EAS Group Retreat took place today in Bogor, Indonesia. The Meetings were chaired by the Permanent Representative of the Lao PDR to ASEAN, H.E. Bovonethat Douangchak, and attended by Permanent Representatives/Ambassadors of EAS countries to ASEAN and representative of the ASEAN Secretariat. Timor-Leste attended as Observer. The Meeting reviewed the progress of implementation of the EAS Plan of Action 2024-2028 and exchanged views and information on regional development cooperation initiatives and security policies and initiatives. At the Retreat session, the EAS countries exchanged views on ways to support priorities of Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship under the theme of enhancing connectivity and resilience, particularly in the context of the EAS.

The First Meeting of the Group of East Asia Summit (EAS) Participating Countries’ Ambassadors to ASEAN in Jakarta (EAS Group) was held today at the ASEAN Secretariat. The Meeting was chaired by H.E. Amb. Bovonethat Douangchak, Permanent Representative of the Lao PDR to ASEAN, attended by Permanent Representatives/Ambassadors of EAS participating countries to ASEAN, Timor-Leste as Observer, and Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Political-Security Community, H.E. Dato’ Astanah Abdul Aziz. The EAS participating countries expressed their commitment to further strengthening the EAS process and enhancing practical cooperation under the EAS Plan of Action 2024-2028. The meeting also covered regional development cooperation initiatives and security policies and initiatives.

During the closing ceremony of the 43rd ASEAN Summit, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Thursday (09/07) at the Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta, officially handed over the baton of the ASEAN chairmanship to Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Sonexay Siphandone, marking the end of Indonesia’s ASEAN chairmanship.

“I officially close the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. I invite His Excellency Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, to continue the ASEAN chairmanship in 2024,” the President said.

According to the President, the three-day ASEAN Summit held from September 5-7, produced 90 documents and several concrete agreements with partner countries.

Throughout the series of meetings, he said, the leaders of ASEAN countries, partner countries, international organizations, and other delegations showed optimism and positive energy.

“Their responses strengthen hope and spirits to continuously make endeavors to build a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region,” he stated.

On that occasion, the President also expressed his appreciation to all leaders and guests in attendance at the 12 summits that constituted the 43rd ASEAN Summit series.

He also extended his gratitude to the leaders for their support for Indonesia’s chairmanship this year.

“Let’s continue to strengthen collaboration and cooperation for a peaceful and prosperous ASEAN, and make the world a better place for all,” he emphasized.

After the handover of ASEAN’s chairmanship, Indonesia will still continue to fulfill its responsibilities as the ASEAN Chair until the end of this year before officially passing the role to Laos next year.

In the series of meetings, President Jokowi chaired 12 sessions, including the 43rd ASEAN Summit in plenary and retreat formats, the 26th ASEAN-China Summit, the 24th ASEAN-Republic of Korea Summit, the 26th ASEAN-Japan Summit, and the 11th ASEAN-United States Summit.

The President also chaired the ASEAN-Canada Summit, the 26th ASEAN Plus Three Summit, the 20th ASEAN-India Summit, the 3rd ASEAN-Australia Summit, the 18th East Asia Summit, and the 13th ASEAN-United Nations Summit.

Apart from that, the President attended as well several related agendas, including the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit and the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF).

For the record, the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits were also attended by several leaders of partner countries and international organizations, including Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, Premier of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Li Qiang, President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol, Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese, and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.

Other leaders in attendance were Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape.

In this year’s ASEAN Summit, Indonesia also invited President of Bangladesh Mohammed Shahabuddin as Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Mark Brown as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). Their attendance reflected Indonesia’s role as the Chair of ASEAN in promoting inclusive cooperation within the Indo-Pacific region.

Source: Cabinet Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia

Original publication date: 7 September 2023

Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kim Kao Hourn today led the ASEAN Secretariat team to attend the 18th East Asia Summit (EAS) in Jakarta. The EAS countries expressed their commitment to further strengthen the EAS as a Leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political, and economic issues of common interest and concern. The Meeting adopted the EAS Leaders’ Statement on Maintaining and Promoting the Region as an Epicentrum of Growth and exchanged views on a wide range of regional and international issues. The Meeting also reviewed the implementation of the EAS Plan of Action (POA) 2018-2022 and welcomed the adoption of the new EAS POA for the next five years.