On November 19, 2024, the 2nd Dissemination Meeting on Lao PDR’s Law and Justice Cooperation in ASEAN took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Vientiane Capital. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Ketsana Phommachanh, Deputy Minister of Justice, and attended by representatives from various key offices and institutions. These included the Center of Economic Dispute Resolutions, the National Institute of Justice, the Lao Bar Association, the Office of the Supreme People’s Prosecutor, the People’s Supreme Court, and several ministries such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Security, and Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Representatives from ASEAN member states’ embassies and the Department of International Cooperation were also present.
The meeting aimed to build on the outcomes of the previous session by creating a platform for stakeholders to exchange legal information and strengthen cooperation. It sought not only to disseminate legal updates but also to develop mechanisms for justice and legal cooperation, conduct comparative legal research among ASEAN member states, and present key areas for discussion. This effort was designed to enhance participants’ understanding of Lao PDR’s role in ASEAN’s legal and justice cooperation framework.
During the meeting, participants reviewed and discussed several important topics. These included Lao PDR’s achievements as ASEAN Chair during the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and its contributions to ASEAN in legal and justice cooperation. Lessons learned from the Office of the Supreme People’s Prosecutor, specifically in managing extradition processes, were also shared. Furthermore, the proposed establishment of the ASEAN Law Association of Lao PDR was presented by representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Office of the Supreme People’s Prosecutor, and the People’s Supreme Court.
The discussions provided a platform for participants to exchange comments and insights on a variety of issues. These exchanges aimed to facilitate the sharing of legal information and the development of a robust justice cooperation mechanism within ASEAN member countries. The meeting emphasized the importance of enhancing collaboration to ensure the effective implementation of regional initiatives, marking another significant step in strengthening Lao PDR’s role in ASEAN’s legal and justice landscape.
