As ASEAN Chair in 2024, Laos took the helm at a critical moment within the region’s history, steering the organization through a period of uncertainty and geopolitical challenges. In an interview with HE Saleumxay Kommasith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR, he reflects on how Lao leadership has played a key role in strengthening ASEAN’s commitment to peace, stability and development, while shaping Laos’ future. organization through improved connectivity and resilience.
The role of ASEAN in the worldwide landscape
According to HE Kommasith, ASEAN is probably the most diverse and probably the most necessary regional organizations on this planet. ASEAN has 10 member states and can soon be joined by East Timor. ASEAN’s diversity and inclusiveness remain central to its identity and influence.
“ASEAN has stood the test of time,” says Kommasith. “One of our greatest achievements has been maintaining peace and stability in Southeast Asia and promoting regional development.” It notes that this success is the results of the joint efforts and cooperation of ASEAN member states.
In 2020, ASEAN took a big step forward by establishing the ASEAN Community, which incorporates three pillars: a political-security community, an economic community and a socio-cultural community. This framework, adds Kommasith, has enabled the region to strengthen ties and move towards greater integration and cooperation.
2024: Dealing with challenges and seizing opportunities
Despite the success of those initiatives, ASEAN faces significant challenges in 2024. The region continues to grapple with the crisis in Myanmar, the continuing impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, and a rapidly changing geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape. Kommasith acknowledges that the region shouldn’t be resistant to these uncertainties, but ASEAN has demonstrated resilience in addressing these challenges.
“The geopolitical and geoeconomic uncertainty we face this year is significant, but ASEAN is unwavering in its commitment to stability and development,” he explains. “Our efforts are underpinned by ASEAN centrality – the idea that ASEAN must remain at the heart of regional security and cooperation, especially as the global landscape evolves.”
As ASEAN approaches the ultimate stages of ASEAN Vision 2025, Laos has used its 2024 Chairmanship to put the foundations for the organization’s roadmap for the subsequent 20 years: ASEAN Community Vision 2045. This vision will give attention to fostering greater cooperation, resilience and connectivity across ASEAN, aligning the organization’s goals with the region’s future challenges and opportunities.
Strengthening ASEAN Connectivity and Resilience
The theme of this yr’s ASEAN Chairmanship of Laos – “Strengthening Connectivity and Resilience” – highlights the importance of regional integration and cooperation. Kommasith emphasizes that a combined ASEAN will likely be higher prepared to answer emerging economic, political and environmental challenges.
“We believe that a connected and resilient ASEAN is key to strengthening the three pillars of our community: political security, economic growth and socio-cultural cooperation,” he says.
To this end, Laos has identified nine priority areas to enhance ASEAN’s connectivity and resilience, which can guide the organization’s work all year long. These include:
- Integration and connecting economies
- Building an inclusive and sustainable future
- Promoting digital transformation
- Promoting Culture and Art
- Developing strategic plans for ASEAN Vision 2045
- Strengthening ASEAN centrality
- Promoting Women’s and Children’s Rights
- Environmental protection
- Ensuring public health safety
Kommasith emphasizes that these areas are priorities not just for Laos, but for the complete ASEAN Community. “The ASEAN Chairmanship is not about one country’s priorities; it is a process of building on the achievements of the previous presidency and preparing the ground for the next one. The work we are doing this year is part of a long-term commitment to building community.” explains.
External relations and ASEAN’s global engagement
In addition to its domestic goals, ASEAN has also strengthened its external relations under Laos’ leadership. ASEAN’s open and inclusive external relations policy, specializing in the centrality of ASEAN, has helped deepen cooperation with partners world wide. This yr, Laos took further steps to strengthen external partnerships, strengthening ties with key dialogue partners through ASEAN-led mechanisms equivalent to ASEAN Plus One, ASEAN Plus Three and the East Asia Summit (EAS).
Kommasith highlights the growing importance of ASEAN on the international stage, noting the increased interest of external partners in cooperation with ASEAN. “We currently have six comprehensive strategic partnerships, and more and more partners are looking to deepen their engagement with ASEAN,” he says. He explains that these partnerships help construct a rules-based regional order by which ASEAN stays central to maintaining peace and stability.
In particular, Lao leaders supported ASEAN’s long-standing commitment to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), which has gained significant traction with latest signatories, including Luxembourg, bringing the whole variety of High Contracting Parties to 55. The treaty is a key instrument for promoting peaceful relations based on on cooperation in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Burma and the ASEAN Consensus
One of probably the most pressing challenges that ASEAN has faced in recent times has been the crisis in Burma. As ASEAN Chair in 2024, Laos continued to advocate for the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus, the roadmap agreed by ASEAN leaders in 2021 to resolve the political crisis in Myanmar. Kommasith notes that despite the setbacks, ASEAN has made progress in cooperation with Myanmar, including inviting a non-political representative to attend ASEAN summits and foreign ministers’ meetings.
“While the situation in Myanmar remains complex, ASEAN is committed to dialogue and finding a peaceful solution through our Five-Point Consensus,” Kommasith states. “Our priority is to ensure that ASEAN remains a credible force for peace and stability in the region.”
Looking to the long run: ASEAN Vision 2045
Looking to the long run, Laos has played an integral role in developing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, the long-term plan for the region. This vision will include 4 strategic plans that can guide the organization over the subsequent twenty years, specializing in cooperation on political security, economic integration, socio-cultural exchanges and connectivity. Vision 2045 will likely be formally adopted at the primary summit in 2025 under the leadership of Malaysia.
Kommasith explains: “We are working closely with Malaysia, our co-pastor, to develop a shared vision that will guide ASEAN over the next 20 years. This strategic plan will ensure ASEAN’s continued relevance and resilience in a rapidly changing world.”
East Timor’s membership and ASEAN development
A major milestone for ASEAN is the anticipated inclusion of East Timor as an eleventh member. Participating as an observer from 2022, Timor-Leste is anticipated to finalize its full membership soon, which can enhance the strength and variety of ASEAN.
Kommasith emphasizes that ASEAN’s development shouldn’t be nearly increasing the variety of members, but about ensuring that each one member states have the chance to participate equally in ASEAN activities. “We have worked closely with Timor-Leste to help them integrate into ASEAN processes despite their limited resources,” he says. “We look forward to fully welcoming them to the ASEAN family.”
A vision for a stronger ASEAN
As Laos’ leadership involves an end in 2024, Kommasith reflects on the challenges and successes of the past yr. “It was a year of great responsibility, but also a year of significant progress,” he says. “We have made important progress in enhancing ASEAN’s connectivity, resilience and centrality, and I am confident that these efforts will continue under the next leadership.”
Laos’ leadership in 2024 has proven crucial to constructing ASEAN’s future, strengthening its commitment to peace, stability and development, and setting the stage for a more connected and resilient Southeast Asia within the a long time to come back.
