Prime Minister of Laos, Dr. Phankham Viphavanh, led a high-level Lao delegation to Cambodia to attend the 13th Asia-Europe Summit (ASEM 13), which was held from 25-26 November 2021.
The Summit was hosted by the Kingdom of Cambodia and chaired by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, under the theme “Strengthening Multilateralism for Shared Growth,” according to a media release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The meeting was attended by leaders from 51 countries and two international organizations from Asia and Europe via videoconference.
The summit covered a wide range of topics, including the significance of Asia-Europe collaboration in enhancing discussion and creating action-oriented cooperation in tackling global and regional concerns, particularly the Covid-19 pandemic.
During his address, Prime Minister Phankham stressed the importance of cooperation and mutual assistance between the two regions in dealing with the effects of the pandemic and restoring socio-economic norms, with a focus on increasing technological and scientific assistance, health information exchanges, and health capacity building to ensure people’s access to modern health systems and medicines, as well as adequate Covid-19 vaccine supply.
The 13th Asia-Europe Summit (ASEM13) adopted three important resolutions, including the ASEM13 Chair’s Statement, the Phnom Penh Statement on the Post-Covid-19 Socio-Economic Recovery, and the Way Forward on ASEM Connectivity.
The 14th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM14) will take place in Europe in 2023.
Prime Minister Phankham Visits Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen
While in Cambodia, PM Phankham and his delegation made an official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Hun Sen from 29 to 30 November.
Prime Ministers Phankham Viphavanh and Hun Sen met to discuss bilateral ties and collaboration, as well as post-Covid socio-economic recovery, and to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, Khmer Times reports.
The Cambodian government and private sector have also joined together with a show of support for Laos by providing over USD 13 million to assist in the fight against Covid-19.
In addition to donated funds, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced that his country will assist in the delivery of 500,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines to Laos’ southern provinces.
