11 October 2024, Vientiane – Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone presided over the 19th East Asia
Summit (EAS), attended by leaders of ASEAN, the People’s Republic of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), the Republic of India, Australia, New Zealand, the Russia Federation, and the United States of America, as well as the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste as an observer.

The summit reviewed EAS cooperation and the implementation of the EAS Work Plan 2024-2028, focusing on key strategic areas such as energy and environment, public health, natural disaster management, economic resilience, deepening supply chain connectivity and integration, and digital transformation.

The meeting reaffirmed its commitment to ASEAN Centrality and emphasized the leading role of the EAS as the premier leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on strategic, political, and economic issues of mutual interest with the aim to maintain and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and globally, in line with the core principles of ASEAN.

Additionally, the President of the European Council and the Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) attended as Guests of the Chair, providing briefings on initiatives to enhance connectivity and economic integration. The East Asia Summit (EAS), established in 2005, remains the only regional forum that brings together leaders from diverse nations across the region for dialogue and constructive cooperation to address emerging challenges.