Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, as ASEAN Chairman, will preside over the two summits, together with summits between ASEAN and China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, the UN, India and the US; the 19 th ASEAN+3 Summit; and the 11 th East Asia Summit; and the 8 th Mekong-Japan Summit.

According to the organising board, during the 28th Summit, ASEAN leaders will discuss measures to tighten relations within the ASEAN Community and the realisation of the ASEAN Vision 2025 and future orientations.

Meanwhile, during the 29th ASEAN Summit, participants will debate the bloc’s external relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern.

During the related meetings, the sides will review their relations over the past years and discuss their future cooperation orientations, alongside international and regional issues of common interest.

Dozens of documents are expected to be passed during the Summits and related meetings, including a Vientiane Declaration on transition from informal employment to formal employment towards decent work promotion in ASEAN, a Vientiane declaration on reinforcing cultural heritage cooperation in ASEAN, and an ASEAN declaration on the bloc’s common response.

VNA