Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone of the Lao PDR Chairs the 27th ASEAN-Japan Summit

10 October 2024 -

The Lao PDR Prime Minister, Sonexay Siphandone presided over the 27th ASEAN-Japan Summit, attended by ASEAN leaders, Prime Minister of Japan, ISHIBA Shigeru, and the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste as an observer. The summit reviewed ASEAN-Japan cooperation over the past years and set the future direction aimed at implementing the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) to ensure mutual benefits for the people of ASEAN, Japan, and beyond. Both sides expressed their appreciation for the ASEAN-Japan dialogue relations, which have flourished over the past 50 years, encompassing cooperation in political-security, economic, and socio-cultural areas. Additionally, the meeting praised the successful conclusion of the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation held in 2023.

Looking ahead, the leaders agreed to continue implementing the Joint Vision Statement on ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation: Trusted Partners, while commending Japan’s significant contribution to the ASEAN Community-building process through the ASEAN-Japan Integration Fund (JAIF). Both sides also pledged to strengthen cooperation in key areas of mutual interest, including economic collaboration, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, cultural exchange, and sustainable development.

Japan remains one of ASEAN’s longest standing and most important dialogue partners. ASEAN and Japan established dialogue relations in 1973, elevated their partnership to a Strategic Partnership in 2011, and further enhanced it to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023.