Asia-Pacific nations commit to boosting regional cooperation

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) — Asia-Pacific leaders agreed Friday to strengthen cooperation in key areas, including the economy, energy, and climate.

Leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, India, the US, and Canada, gathered for the 19th East Asia Summit (EAS) in Laos' capital Vientiane.

"The Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the EAS as the premier Leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political and economic issues of common interest and concern," ASEAN said in a statement.

Discussions also addressed tensions in the South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula, and the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

On the final day of the ASEAN summit, participants agreed to enhance cooperation in economic, energy, and environmental sectors.

"The President of the European Council and the Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation attended the Open Session and briefed the Meeting on enhancing connectivity and on economic integration," ASEAN added.

The summit concluded with the official handover of the ASEAN chairmanship to Malaysia for 2025.

The ASEAN region is home to over 700 million people, spans 4.5 million square kilometers (1.7 million square miles), and recorded a total gross domestic product of $3.62 trillion in 2022.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid