VIENTIANE: As Malaysia prepares to chair Asean for the fifth time next year, the current chair Laos expresses hope that Malaysia will build upon the region's achievements and guide Asean towards continued progress.
Speaking at the Annual Asean Media Forum on Monday, Laos' Director-General of the Asean Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chatoulong Bouasisavath outlined Laos' accomplishments during its tenure and the challenges it faced which could present a valuable guide for Malaysia as it assumes the leadership in the coming year.
He said while Laos' chairmanship is concluding for this cycle, the responsibility of Asean community-building was a continuous process where each member state's chairmanship builds on the priorities of its predecessor, ensuring sustained progress across different focus areas.
CHALLENGES LAOS FACED AS ASEAN CHAIR
Chatoulong said the regional and international issues were not in favour of their Asean chairmanship this year. He said the situation in Myanmar remains a pressing issue and the Covid-19 pandemic has left a lasting impact on the region.
"Although the pandemic is over, its effects are still being felt. While the economy has begun to recover, progress remains slow and fragile.
"This year, Asean is also nearing the final stage of implementing the Asean Vision 2025. Against this backdrop, we are navigating a rapidly changing regional and international landscape marked by geopolitical and geo-economic uncertainties. It is, therefore, not an easy year for Asean's chairmanship," he said.
To respond effectively to current developments and challenges within Asean and beyond, he said the bloc adopted the theme: "Asean: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience" which reflects the belief that a connected and resilient Asean strengthens the bloc's three foundational pillars.
Asean's three main pillars focus on maintaining peace and stability, promoting economic integration and equitable development, and enhancing cultural exchange and social welfare among its member states.
Chatoulong said achieving this vision requires Asean to enhance connectivity, narrow the development gap, advance greater economic integration, promote people-to-people engagement, deepen external relations with partners, and maintain Asean's relevance and centrality within the evolving regional and global architecture.
"We have identified nine priority areas designed to support Asean community building, ensuring that Asean becomes more connected.
"I say this because Asean community building is an ongoing process. It's not something that can be achieved within the tenure of a single Asean chairmanship or based solely on our own priorities. Each chair's priorities are part of a continuous process, carried forward from the previous chairmanship, implemented during the current one, and passed on to the next," he said.
LAOS' MILESTONES AS ASEAN CHAIR
Despite the challenges, Chatoulong has described Laos' chairmanship as a successful one and it continues to mark milestones during the 12-month tenure.
Up to now, he said the implementation of its nine priority areas have been progressing well and he is confident that it would be able to achieve its set goals.
He said Laos managed to organise over 1,000 meetings and activities related to Asean, with approximately 500 of these held within the country. Their chairmanship also saw Asean's adoption of more than 90 documents, including key declarations.
This includes the Asean Leaders Declaration on the development of strategic plans to implement the Asean Community Vision 2045 and declarations on enhancing supply chain connectivity, sustainable agriculture, and strengthening economic resilience.
This also includes the document on the Implementation of the Five-Point Consensus where Laos played a crucial role by successfully inviting a non-political representative from Myanmar to participate in Asean meetings.