ASEAN senior officials discuss enhancing regional connectivity

VIENTIANE, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) — Representatives from the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have met in northern Laos’ Luang Prabang province discussing enhancing regional connectivity and resilience.
The representatives gathered on Wednesday for the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM), hosted by the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ministry said in a report on Thursday.
The meeting reviewed the implementation of the decisions made at the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings, especially the implementation of the nine priorities under Laos’ ASEAN chairmanship in 2024 under the theme of “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”.
The officials concluded at the meeting that the overall work in this regard is progressing well.
The meeting also discussed implementing an action plan for Timor-Leste to become a full member of ASEAN, and applications by countries outside the region to become a party to ASEAN’s Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. ■