Prime Minister Lawrence Wong visited Vientiane, the capital of Laos, from October 9th to 13th to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and related summits. This marked his first multilateral meetings with other country leaders since taking office in May. Following the conclusion of the summits, Mr. Wong met with his Laotian counterpart, Sonexay Siphandone, who hosted an official dinner in his honor.
As the Minister for Finance, Mr. Wong led the Singapore delegation to the 44th and 45th ASEAN summits, where Southeast Asian leaders discussed the bloc’s community-building efforts and ways to create opportunities in new growth areas such as the digital and green economies. The Prime Minister’s Office highlighted the importance of strengthening ASEAN’s role in developing an open, inclusive, and stable regional architecture. Laos’ chairmanship theme of ‘Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience’ emphasized ASEAN’s unity and resilience amidst geopolitical and economic challenges.
The leaders also explored ways to expand ASEAN’s engagement with various world leaders at the 27th ASEAN Plus Three Summit, the 19th East Asia Summit, and summits with Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Nations, and the United States. The ASEAN-Japan Summit was a significant part of the discussion, marking the first during Singapore’s three-year term as the coordinating country. These meetings aimed to strengthen relations and cooperation between ASEAN and its dialogue partners, highlighting the importance of regional unity and cooperation.
Key topics addressed during the summits included enhancing connectivity, fostering economic growth, and promoting sustainable development in the region. Leaders discussed the challenges posed by geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties, emphasizing the need for solidarity and cooperation. They also examined ways to address common issues such as climate change, regional security, and economic cooperation. The summits provided an important platform for leaders to exchange ideas and explore opportunities for collaboration across different sectors.
The meetings also addressed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the region’s economies and societies, highlighting the need for collective action to address the crisis. Leaders discussed ways to enhance regional resilience and preparedness for future challenges, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation in responding to crises. They reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and pledged to work together to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
Overall, the ASEAN summits and related meetings in Vientiane provided an important opportunity for leaders to strengthen regional cooperation, address common challenges and opportunities, and enhance ASEAN’s role in the international community. The discussions focused on fostering economic growth, enhancing connectivity, and promoting sustainable development in the region, underscoring the importance of regional unity and cooperation in addressing current and future challenges. Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and agreed to work together to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia and beyond.
