Laos has announced the theme and logo for its Chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2024.
Both the theme as “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience” and the logo aim at reflecting the challenges and opportunities that the ASEAN region has faced over the past decades.
Some of the main challenges include economic and financial difficulties, climate change, natural disasters, and traditional and cyber security issues. In light of these challenges, Laos recognizes the importance of enhancing connectivity and resilience as a means of strengthening the ASEAN community and effectively addressing present and emerging threats.
The country, in its upcoming role as ASEAN Chair, aims to achieve this goal by intensifying regional cooperation under the three community pillars. These include promoting infrastructure connectivity, narrowing the development gap, fostering greater economic integration and people-to-people exchanges, as well as strengthening ASEAN’s relations with external partners. Laos also emphasized the importance of maintaining ASEAN’s relevance and centrality in the evolving regional architecture.
The logo, which comprises four colors of the ASEAN flag and emblem – blue, white, red, and yellow – is designed in a circular shape so as to represent the globe and symbolize ASEAN’s relations with partners across the world. The circular form is a match of a C-shaped image and a R-shaped element, which respectively stand for “connectivity” and “resilience.”
Further, the “ASEAN” text in the logo is rendered in stylistic Lao scripts to showcase traditional Lao aesthetic designs and Lao culture.
As the host country, Laos will use the logo in all ASEAN meetings at every level. It will also feature it in promotional media and activities throughout the year to raise awareness of ASEAN, starting from 1 January, 2024.
Laos’ Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2024 provides an opportunity for the country to contribute to the development and growth of the region. With the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience” and a visually striking logo, Laos aims to strengthen cooperation and achieve a more connected and resilient ASEAN community.
