Laos’ ASEAN Chairmanship 2024: Prioritizing Economic Connectivity and Resilience amid Regional Challenges
Under Laos’ 2024 ASEAN Chairmanship theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”, Lao has identified four priorities: 1) Integrating and Connecting Economies; 2) Forging an Inclusive and Sustainable Future; 3) Transforming for Digital Future; and 4) Culture and Arts: Promoting the Role of ASEAN Culture and the Arts for Inclusion and Sustainability.
Laos emphasizes connectivity and resilience to strengthen the ASEAN community amidst regional and global challenges. Thus, the Masterplan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025, adopted under the Laos-ASEAN Chairmanship in 2016, remains a key document for ASEAN to achieve its connectivity goals. Laos leverages its Chairmanship this year to advance its interests aiming to become “the battery of Southeast Asia” through hydropower development and transforming from “Land-locked to land-linked.” However, domestic macroeconomic challenges, such as high debt, inflation, and currency depreciation require extensive efforts despite potential investments and development financing during its ASEAN Chairmanship.