Laos, the current ASEAN chair, will host two back-to-back ASEAN-related summits from October 8-11 in Vientiane, according to the ASEAN Department of the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the ASEAN retreat in January, the bloc’s foreign ministers were informed by the current ASEAN chair that the two summits would be held consecutively in October.
There will be over two dozen meetings between the leaders of ASEAN and their dialogue partners. Canada will have a special summit with ASEAN leaders for the first time. Following the two summits, the East Asia Summit will take place, with participation from the leaders of the world’s great powers, including the US, China, Russia, India, Australia, and others.
ASEAN leaders will accord South Korea comprehensive strategic partnership (CPS) status. ASEAN currently has six CPS countries: China, Australia, the US, India, Japan, and South Korea. New Zealand officially applied for CPS status during the ASEAN annual meeting in August.
During the ASEAN-related summits, ASEAN leaders will engage with representatives from ASEAN-related organizations such as the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, ASEAN Business Advisory Council, and ASEAN Youth.
Before the summits on October 8, ASEAN foreign ministers will hold a series of meetings under the framework of the ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting to prepare for the leaders’ meetings.
