Published: 15 Oct 2024
Authors: Joanne Lin|Sharon Seah|Melinda Martinus|Kristina Fong Siew Leng
Joanne Lin, Sharon Seah, Melinda Martinus, and Kristina Fong examine the outcomes of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and assess Laos’ achievement as the ASEAN Chair.
The 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in Vientiane, Laos on 9-11 October 2024 was a big moment for Laos to elevate its diplomatic profile on the global stage. Under the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” the summits sought to reaffirm ASEAN’s place in a world marked by shifting geopolitical developments.
True to its cautious and risk-averse diplomatic style, Laos prioritised stability and community-building over bold initiatives. The 90-plus summit deliverables focused on practical cooperation—such as sustainable agriculture and supply chain connectivity—while avoiding contentious political issues. This reflects Laos’ preference for measured progress and collaboration while steering clear of divisive geopolitical challenges. However, its inability to mitigate external pressures and manage major power rivalries within ASEAN-led mechanisms resulted in the failure to adopt the East Asia Summit statement, once again raising concerns about ASEAN’s relevance amid great power competition.
For full article, please open the link:
https://fulcrum.sg/aseanfocus/a-small-countrys-big-moment-in-asean-amid-challenges/
To view the Chairman’s Statement of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Chairman’s Statement of the 19th East Asia Summit (EAS), please open the links:
https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/9.-Final-Chairmans-Statement-of-the-19th-EAS.pdf
The article was published by ISEAS.
IRSEA and ISEAS have agreed to enter into a relationship of cooperation.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position or view of IRSEA