ASEAN leaders share unexpected in-flight diplomacy ahead of Laos Summit

KUALA LUMPUR: It's not often that you see finance ministers and foreign affairs chiefs from multiple nations sharing a single flight, but the ASEAN Summit in Laos this week brought a unique twist to regional diplomacy.

The lack of direct flights from many ASEAN capitals to the landlocked country literally led to an impromptu gathering of regional heavyweights, all on the same plane to Vientiane.

In a lighthearted Instagram post on Sunday night, Malaysia's Minister of Investment, Trade & Industry, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, highlighted the camaraderie among the regional leaders in the Malay language; "Semua dah ada dalam kapal terbang, kita mesyuarat sini je lah! Tak payah nak pergi Laos" ("We're all here on the plane; let's just hold our meeting here! No need to go to Laos"), he quipped.

The picture accompanying the post featured Singapore's Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, and Brunei's Finance and Economy Minister II Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah, capturing a humorous yet memorable moment of ASEAN unity in an unlikely setting.

While the image of ministers laughing and mingling thousands of feet in the air showcased ASEAN's camaraderie, it also subtly underscored a more serious issue -- the region's limited interconnectivity. The fact that so many top officials and even members of the media had to share the same flight to Laos highlights the need for stronger regional transport links and infrastructure.

Tengku Zafrul's light-hearted comment reflected a reality that ASEAN must address - the limited direct routes to several member states.

As the region strives towards greater unity and integration, physical connectivity remains a critical area of development.

The shared journey is a metaphor for ASEAN's broader mission: despite various gaps, its member states are heading in the same direction, striving to overcome shared challenges to reach their destination together.

Better connectivity, particularly to places like Laos, could facilitate not only diplomatic exchanges but also tourism, trade, and economic growth.

Improving these links would make countries like Laos more accessible and inviting to both ASEAN citizens and the wider global community, unlocking its potential as a key travel and business destination. With its stunning natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage, Laos has much to offer. However, to truly capitalize on these assets, enhanced air connectivity is essential.

Both Tengku Zafrul and Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan have now arrived in Vientiane for the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits.

They landed at Wattay International Airport at 7:45 pm local time (8:45 pm Malaysian time), joining approximately 2,000 delegates for the series of high-level meetings at the National Convention Centre (NCC) in the Laotian capital from Oct 8 to 11.

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) will officially kick off the summits on Tuesday, Oct 8, followed by the opening ceremony for the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits on Oct 9. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to deliver Malaysia's national statement during the summits.

When the summits conclude on Oct 11, Laos will pass the ASEAN chairmanship baton to Malaysia. As Malaysia prepares to lead ASEAN into the next phase, there is hope that it will prioritize addressing connectivity challenges and bringing about new possibilities for greater regional integration and cooperation.

Whether through new flight routes, enhanced infrastructure, or deeper collaboration, Malaysia's chairmanship could pave the way for a more connected and cohesive ASEAN, one that not only shares the same skies but also charts a shared path toward sustainable growth and regional unity.

-- BERNAMA