Laos to host regional summits via video conference

Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith will chair the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam (CLV) and Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam (CLMV) Summits via video conference on Wednesday, according to a Lao Foreign Ministry statement.

Lao Prime Minister Thongloun and his delegation will also join leaders at the Ninth Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit the same day. Cambodia will host this conference via video conference.

The 11th CLV Summit will be joined by the leaders of the three countries in the grouping, while the 10th CLMV Summit will also be joined by the leaders of Myanmar.

The 9th ACMECS Summit will be attended by the leaders of Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

These three regional summits will review the results of actions taken over the past two years and frame plans for the future aimed at helping the regional economy overcome the impacts of the COVID-19 epidemic. The leaders will also explore ways for the development of CLV until 2030, local daily Vientiane Times reported Tuesday.

Besides, the CLV Summit will look at economic connectivity schemes for the period until 2030, and ways to support and facilitate trade among the three countries. The CLV Summit will also discuss the sustainable development of the rubber industry and the development of tourism plans for the region.

A joint statement is expected to be issued after the CLV meeting, said the report.

The CLMV Summit will focus on upgrading connectivity and ground links. There will also be consultations on the implementation of matters contained in the joint statement issued after the ninth meeting.

The leaders of ACMECS will discuss cooperation among the member countries in a wide range of areas. They will also discuss the master plan for 2019-2023, and approve the Phnom Penh Joint Statement.