Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially launched its Asean chair’s logo, website, and theme for 2024, according to Lao National Radio.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleamxay Kommasith chaired the ceremony with all concerned ministries and agencies in preparation for the incoming Asean chair, which will commence on January 1, 2024. The 44th and 45th Asean-related summits would be held back to back in October.

The theme, “Asean: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” reflects the Asean chair’s desire to promote and deepen the bloc’s cooperation in all areas of connectivity. More specifically, during the Lao chair, top priorities would be placed on enhancing infrastructure connectivity, narrowing de elopement gap, and promoting greater economic integration and people-to-people exchanges.

As far as external relations are concerned, Vientiane will further strengthen the bloc’s dialogue partners while maintaining ASEAN’s relevance and centrality in the evolving regional architectures, according to Lao National Radio.

The logo is confined in a circular shape represents the globe and symbolizes ASEAN’s relations and cooperation with external partners worldwide. It has four colors—blue, red, yellow, and white—of the ASEAN’s flag and emblem.

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.