The Secretary General of ASEAN, Dr Kao Kim Hourn will pay a three-day visit from 28-30 November to Lao in preparation for its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024, according to the Asean Secretariat.

With the invitation from Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, Dr Kao will lead an ASEAN Secretariat delegation consisting of officials from the three Community Pillars to attend bilateral meetings with senior Laotian officials. The delegation will meet and exchange views with Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, as well as other key cabinet ministers responsible for cross-pillar issues.

The meetings aim to discuss the ASEAN Secretariat’s role in supporting Lao PDR’s upcoming ASEAN Chairmanship, guided by the theme “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience.” Last week, Vientiane revealed its official logo and the chair’s theme.

The Asean chair will hold the first foreign ministerial retreat on 28-29 January in Luang Prabang, according to informed diplomatic sources. It will hold its first Asean retreat and will be the first of hundreds of meetings that will follow throughout 2024 after the new chair kicks off its action plans and deliverables.

The retreat in the country’s former capital will be chaired by Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith to map out the Asean overall agenda.