On October 11, 2024, in Vientiane, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the strengthening partnership between ASEAN and the UN during a press conference. He commended ASEAN's contributions to peacekeeping operations and their forward-looking initiatives, such as the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, linking them with the UN’s newly adopted Pact for the Future. Guterres expressed solidarity with Indonesia after two peacekeepers were wounded in Lebanon, highlighting ASEAN’s role in global peace efforts.

Guterres outlined four key areas for continued collaboration: closing the digital and AI divides, reforming the global financial system to better support developing nations, accelerating climate action, and promoting peace and security. He praised ASEAN for fostering dialogue in conflict areas such as the Korean Peninsula and the South China Sea and reaffirmed the UN’s support for ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus to resolve the Myanmar crisis.

Concluding his remarks, Guterres lauded ASEAN’s commitment to sustainable development, peace, and human rights, reaffirming the UN’s dedication to supporting the region's future growth and stability.

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