(VOVworld) - The 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits opened in Vientiane, Laos, late on Tuesday on the theme of “Turning Vision into Reality for a Dynamic ASEAN Community”.

ASEAN leaders at the opening ceremony
In his opening speech, Laos’ Prime Minister Thonglun Sisoulith said: “The summits are taking place in a new context with many opportunities and challenges, where ASEAN Community is focusing on implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and tightening cooperation with the outsiders amidst complicated situations in the region and the world. As a result, ASEAN summits and related meetings offer a chance for the bloc’s leaders to discuss and put forth directions for realizing the ASEAN Community Vision 2025. Participants will also exchange opinions on regional and global issues of mutual concern to turn the vision into action for a dynamic ASEAN Community.”

The two summits will focus on efforts to build the ASEAN Community.

On Tuesday, ASEAN leaders witnessed the signing of the Master Plan for ASEAN Connectivity 2025 and the Third Work Plan of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration and the introduction of an ASEAN Business Advisory Council.

Related meetings will take place over three days until Thursday, including the ASEAN+1 Summit, ASEAN+ 3 Summit, a summit marking ASEAN’s 25-year dialogue partnership with China, and the East Asia Summit (EAS).