On the occasion of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's attendance at the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related conferences in Laos from October 8-11, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam spoke to the press about Laos' preparations for this conference as well as activities during the 2024 ASEAN Chairmanship and Vietnam's support and coordination.
Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam said that 2024 has witnessed Laos' outstanding efforts in its role as ASEAN Chair. Up to now, the ASEAN Chair has been successfully implementing the agenda set out under the theme "ASEAN: Strengthening Connectivity and Resilience", especially the successful organization of the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM 57) last July. The achievement of the Joint Statement of the 57th AMM can be considered a very important achievement in Laos' ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2024.
In the context of increasingly complex and unpredictable regional and global situations, as ASEAN Chair 2024, Laos has made strong efforts and commitments to ASEAN's common goals such as promoting solidarity, unity and maintaining ASEAN's central role; actively connecting economic cooperation activities, digital transformation and regional integration; strengthening cooperation in responding to climate change, protecting the environment, women - children and health; promoting security and defense cooperation; developing and deepening cooperation between ASEAN and its partners.
Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam expressed his firm belief that, with the experience of Laos having twice assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship (in 2004 and 2016), Laos will successfully organize the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related conferences this year.
The Ambassador emphasized that since Laos took over the ASEAN Chairmanship 2024 at the end of 2023 and throughout 2024, on the basis of the special solidarity and tradition of coordination and mutual support between the two countries at multilateral forums, Vietnam has clearly demonstrated its role as a comrade, brother and close friend of Laos through active and effective support and assistance to Laos through many forms, both material and experience sharing.
This is clearly demonstrated through commitments and practical actions. In early 2024, the Vietnamese Government donated 1 million USD to Laos to provide financial support for the organization of conferences within the framework of the ASEAN year. Next, in March 2024, the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam supported the Ministry of Public Security of Laos with 20 cars, 30 patrol motorcycles and many electronic equipment to serve the work of ensuring security and safety for the conferences.
Notably, during his State visit to Laos in July 2024, President To Lam presented 20 Vinfast VF9 electric cars of the highest quality to serve high-ranking delegations of countries attending the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and upcoming related conferences.
In addition, many relevant ministries and sectors of the two countries have provided material support as well as organized experience exchange activities in various fields to help Laos fulfill its responsibilities as ASEAN Chair in 2024.
This companionship not only demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, but also contributes to enhancing the position of the two countries in the international community, thereby contributing to strengthening ASEAN's central role in dealing with regional challenges, ensuring solidarity and sustainable development of the entire bloc.
