Lao PDR in ASEAN

Lao PDR was granted an ASEAN observer status at the 25^th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in 1992 and was officially admitted as a Member State in 1997. During Lao PDRs’ ASEAN Chairmanship in 2004, ASEAN adopted the Vientiane Action Programme 2004-2010. This succeeded the 1998 Hanoi Plan of Action and established a roadmap for the ASEAN community through 2010. Lao PDR was scheduled to assume the position again in 2014, but, per Myanmar’s request, has agreed to a swap and will assume the Chairmanship again in 2016.

Lao PDR is active in various ASEAN and other regional frameworks including the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD).