ASEAN Ministerial Meetings in Laos

I will visit the Lao People's Democratic Republic from 24 to 27 July to attend the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the ASEAN-Australia Ministerial Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

The EAS is the premier forum for strategic dialogue on regional issues. At the EAS I will discuss the political, economic and security challenges facing our region, including maritime security, the South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula, non-proliferation and countering violent extremism.

I will undertake a range of high-level bilateral consultations with regional counterparts, including the Foreign Ministers of India, the Philippines and Indonesia. I will also meet with my counterparts from the United States and Japan, Secretary of State John Kerry and Foreign Minister Kishida.

I will co-chair the Australia-ASEAN ministerial meeting with Myanmar State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, in advance of the Australia-ASEAN Leaders Summit in September.

I am meeting with Australian business representatives and Lao women leaders and will congratulate Lao students who have graduated with the help of the Australian-funded Laos-Australia National Scholarships Program.

This will be my second official visit to Laos and I look forward to meeting the new Prime Minister and Foreign Minister as well as other senior leaders. Australia and Laos will continue to work together to strengthen our already close bilateral relationship.

I will use this visit to advance Australia's interests in building a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.