QUEZON CITY — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., together with fellow leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Timor-Leste as an observer member, convened on Wednesday morning, October 9, for the opening ceremony of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
The opening event was held at the National Convention Centre in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR).
During the three-day summit, ASEAN leaders and external partners will address various international issues affecting the region. These include the situation in Myanmar, Ukraine, the Korean Peninsula, Gaza, and other geopolitical challenges impacting the Indo-Pacific Region.
To date, there are 82 outcome documents scheduled for adoption during the 2024 ASEAN Summits, the DFA said.
Moreover, Marcos will be the keynote speaker at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2024.
Marcos and other heads of member states were welcomed by Lao PDR Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and spouse Vandara Siphandone.
President Marcos was accompanied by First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos and will be in Vientiane until Friday, October 11, for a jam-packed schedule in the Summit and Related Summits. (PIA DMD)