ASEAN Summits: Over 2,000 Delegates, Global Media Prepare For Key Talks In Laos

By Kenny Teng

VIENTIANE, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- More than 2,000 delegates and around 1,000 international media outlets are expected to attend the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, set to be held from Oct 8 to Oct 11 in Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

Preparations are in full swing as authorities across various sectors work to ensure a smooth welcome for leaders and delegates from the 10 ASEAN-member states. Over 20 meetings will convene under the theme "ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience".

All meetings will take place at the National Convention Centre and will be attended by heads of state and government from ASEAN-member countries, dialogue partner nations, and external partner nations, as well as representatives from regional and international organisations.

Second Secretary (Commercial) and Vice Consul of the embassy of Canada, Christophe A. Rouleau, who is coordinating for the Canadian delegation, remarked that Laos has shown a high level of preparedness in welcoming delegates and the international media.

"I have inspected the media centre and the NCC here. I am pleased with the preparations," he told Bernama when met at the media centre on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Antara News Agency video journalist Ardi Irawan said media registration for the summits had gone smoothly, and the arrangements in the media centre, including a dedicated prayer room and halal food options for Muslim attendees, were well-organised.

"We are satisfied with the hospitality and arrangements for media coverage in Vientiane," he said.

However, Ardi pointed out that the distance between the media centre and the NCC posed a daily challenge for his team in covering the summits.

Earlier, it was reported that Laos' Ministry of Public Security had organised a training session from Sept 10 to 15 for traffic police officers to ensure tight security during the meetings.

Additionally, on Thursday, the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports announced the temporary closure of 497 schools in Vientiane during the ASEAN summit’s period to ease traffic congestion.

These closures are intended to facilitate smooth travel for international delegations and high-level officials attending the events.

This temporary measure is part of a broader strategy to ensure the safety and security of all participants and to streamline transportation throughout the summit period.

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will officially kick off the summits on Oct 8, while the opening ceremony for the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits will take place on Oct 9.

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to deliver Malaysia’s statement during the summits.

On Oct 11, Laos will officially hand over the ASEAN chairmanship to Malaysia.

In addition to hosting the ASEAN summits in 2024, Laos previously chaired ASEAN in 2016 and 2004.

-- BERNAMA