In a statement released on 10 October 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced that Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia, attended the 44° and 45° ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in Vientiane, Laos. The high-level gathering, themed "ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience", was chaired by His Excellency Dr. Sonexay SIPHANDONE, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR).
During the Plenary Session, leaders discussed ASEAN's concerted efforts in advancing the ASEAN Community building process and exchanged views on future directions of ASEAN external relations. They commended the works of the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Community Vision 2045 (HLTF-ACV) and other relevant stakeholders in developing Strategic Plans to implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. In this regard, they adopted the ASEAN Leaders' Declaration on the Development of Strategic Plans to Implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
The leaders reaffirmed the importance of upholding and strengthening ASEAN centrality and unity in the context of an evolving regional architecture and precarious geopolitical landscape. They also reaffirmed their commitment to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and beyond, while addressing issues of common interest with external partners.
Samdech Thipadei Prime Minister emphasized Cambodia's full support for Lao PDR's priorities as ASEAN Chair, particularly enhancing connectivity and resilience, which resonates deeply with ASEAN's shared aspirations and collective vision for a robust, prosperous, and integrated Southeast Asia. He stressed that in the face of growing geopolitical complexity and uncertainty, ASEAN must adopt proactive, anticipatory, and strategic responses to remain future-proof and future-ready.
Samdech Thipadei also highlighted the importance of leveraging emerging sectors, including digital economy, green transition, blue economy, and resilient supply chains, to drive growth and prosperity in the region. He reaffirmed Cambodia's support for Timor-Leste to become a full member of ASEAN at the earliest and expressed support for any partner who wants to form a relationship with ASEAN based on mutual respect, trust, and benefit.
At the ASEAN Leaders' Interface with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, Samdech Thipadei emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between public and private sectors to support infrastructure projects when fiscal space is limited. He invited the private sector to consider Cambodia's "Comprehensive Master Plan on Cambodia Intermodal Transport and Logistics System", which was unveiled in early 2024.
In a broader context, the 44° and 45° ASEAN Summits underscored the significance of promoting peace and peaceful coexistence among states, strengthening cooperation between governments and parliaments, and fostering collaboration between public and private sectors to drive growth and prosperity in the region.
<b>Significance:</b>
The outcomes of the 44° and 45° ASEAN Summits highlight Cambodia's commitment to strengthening ASEAN unity and promoting regional cooperation. As ASEAN Chair, Lao PDR plays a crucial role in shaping the organization's future directions, and Cambodia's support for this endeavor reflects its own strategic interests and aspirations. The adoption of the ASEAN Leaders' Declaration on the Development of Strategic Plans to Implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 marks an important milestone in the realization of ASEAN's shared vision for a robust, prosperous, and integrated Southeast Asia.