ASEAN’s key meetings kick off in Laos

VIENTIANE, July 24 (Xinhua) — The meeting of the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Commission, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Interface meeting with ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Representatives, and Informal Consultation on the Implementation of the Five-Point Consensus of ASEAN leaders kicked off in Lao capital Vientiane on Wednesday.
The meeting of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Commission reviewed the progress in implementing the Action Plan for the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (2023-2027).
At the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Interface meeting with ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Representatives, Yong Chanthalangsy, Representative of Laos to the AICHR, reported the progress of human rights activities over the past years, including the protection of women’s and children’s rights, combating violence, the rights of persons with disabilities, and anti-human trafficking, as well as preparing a new five-year work plan (2026-2030) aligned with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
ASEAN foreign ministers acknowledged the progress made by the AICHR and its contributions to promoting and protecting human rights in the region, as well as encouraging the commission to continue its mandate and effectively implement human rights activities for 2025.
On the same day, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith held bilateral meetings with several ASEAN member countries to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation. ■