SEPANG: Laos Foreign Affairs Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane was among the first foreign diplomats to arrive in Malaysia ahead of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.
He arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at approximately 8.25 pm this evening accompanied by his wife Vadsana Phomvihane.
His deputy, Phongsavanh Sisoulath, had landed earlier at 7.50 pm.
Other early arrivals included Cambodia’s Secretary of State Kung Phoak, who landed at 2 pm.
Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Economic Community Satvinder Singh arrived at 7.45 pm.
Timor-Leste Vice-Minister of ASEAN Affairs Milena Rangel touched down at 7.35 pm.
Brunei’s Permanent Secretary Johariah Wahab also arrived at 8.25 pm.
Malaysia holds the ASEAN chairmanship this year under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.
The country will host the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur from Oct 26 to 28.
The summit will host leaders from the 10 ASEAN member states alongside key dialogue partners.
Dialogue partners include the United States, China, Japan and India.
Expected to be the largest ASEAN gathering since its inception in 1976, the summit will welcome world leaders including United States President Donald Trump.
Other attending leaders include Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. – Bernama
