Secretary-General of ASEAN to participate in the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, hosted by Lao PDR

At the invitation of H.E. Sonexay Siphandone, Chair of ASEAN for 2024 and Prime Minister of Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, will lead the ASEAN Secretariat's Delegation to participate in the 44^th and 45^th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, including ASEAN Leaders' Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), ASEAN Leaders' Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) and ASEAN Leaders' Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth, which will convene in Vientiane, Lao PDR, on 8-11 October 2024, under the theme "ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience." Prior to participating in the ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, Dr. Kao will also partake in the 24^th ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Council Meeting, ASEAN Investment Forum, ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, 28^th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting, 35^th ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Meeting, ASEAN Business and Investment Summit and a Special Reception hosted by Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, on 7- 8 October 2024. During his stay in Vientiane, Dr. Kao is scheduled to meet bilaterally with leaders and heads of delegations of ASEAN's external partners countries and international organizations in order to further strengthen existing cooperation, explore untapped areas of collaboration and advance ASEAN Community building goals. The series of meetings will serve as important platforms to take stock of the progress of ASEAN's key initiatives, set future priorities and reaffirm ASEAN's role in fostering regional peace, security, stability, and sustainable economic growth.