The forty-ninth ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting has begun in the Laotian capital of Vientiane. Over the course of three days, the ASEAN foreign ministers and their counterparts from dialogue partner countries will discuss measures to strengthen the ASEAN community.

These include the implementation of the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint 2025, and the exchange of views on regional and international issues of common concern and interest. Foreign ministers of China, the US, Japan and South Korea will also attend associated talks, including the ASEAN Regional Forum, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers Meeting and bilateral meetings.