Headlines

• Leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries are meeting intending to enhance the region's economic and security cooperation and reach out to other dialogue partners in East Asia and Oceania.
• The topics of regional tension in the South China Sea and the civil war in Myanmar are expected to take center stage at the leaders' meeting hosted by Laos in Vientiane.

Vientiane, Oct.8 (DPnet).– The 44th ASEAN Summit is taking place at the National Convention Center in Vientiane, Laos, from October 6 to October 11. Southeast Asian leaders are meeting in Laos for a summit expected to find ways of tackling a worsening civil war in Myanmar, with Thailand set to propose a new path for a political solution after a regional peace effort made scant progress.

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, attended the Plenary Session and reported on the progress of ASEAN Community-building in 2024 to the ASEAN Leaders and highlighted the key deliverables of Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship under the theme “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”.

Chaos has prevailed in Myanmar since a 2021 military coup sparked a nationwide rebellion and a civil war that has ravaged the nation of 55 million. The ruling junta has so far refused to hold talks with its opponents, whom it calls terrorists.

Thailand offered this week to host an “informal consultation” of the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in December to try to find a way out of the intractable conflict that has displaced millions of people.

“We want to see a political solution,” Nikorndej Balankura, a spokesperson of Thailand’s foreign ministry, told reporters.

“Thailand is ready to coordinate with all other member countries so there would be a concerted ASEAN effort that could lead to peace in Myanmar.”