Laos Affirms Commitment to Strengthening Regional Cooperation at ASEAN Meetings

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Thongsavanh Phomvihane, led the Lao delegation in a series of high-level ASEAN meetings on July 23, 2026. These included the 27th ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and the 16th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The meetings served as an opportunity to strengthen multilateral cooperation aimed at promoting peace, stability, and prosperity within the region. Specifically, the strengthening of cooperation in the field of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) among ASEAN member states, China, and the Republic of Korea was repeatedly affirmed. At the 22nd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI-22), held in Vientiane on June 26, 2026, the enhancement of cooperation among member states was discussed. Furthermore, on June 24, the 7th Meeting of the ASEAN–Republic of Korea Joint Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation (AKJSTIC-7) took place in Vientiane, where the strengthening of cooperation between the two sides in the STI sector was reaffirmed. Additionally, ASEAN and China expressed their commitment to deepening cooperation in STI, with a focus on joint research, technology transfer, and personnel exchange. These meetings aim to find common solutions to ASEAN's diverse challenges and promote sustainable development across the region. Laos has demonstrated its stance to contribute to the strengthening of regional cooperation through active engagement within the ASEAN framework. While relations with China and Vietnam form the cornerstone of Lao diplomacy, multilateral coordination through ASEAN remains a crucial means for Laos to maintain and expand its regional influence. Economically, enhanced cooperation in STI holds the potential to lead to the industrial upgrading and increased competitiveness of Laos, but its realization necessitates addressing domestic challenges such as infrastructure development and human resource cultivation.