Future of Asia conference: President calls for conflicts to be addressed through peaceful dialogue
President Thongloun Sisoulith addresses the 28th International Conference “Future of Asia”.
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Addressing the 28th International Conference “Future of Asia” in Japan, President Thongloun Sisoulith has called for a collective effort to address ongoing global issues, including conflicts, through engagement and dialogue.
Held on May 25-26, this year’s annual conference addressed the theme ‘Leveraging Asia’s power to confront global challenges’.
The Lao president said there are concerns about the heightened tensions, conflicts and armed confrontations taking place in various parts of the world, as these have the potential to escalate into full-fledged/large-scale wars, or even a world war.
“This concern is real and justified due to humanity’s painful history of war and the destruction it has caused, including the two world wars that brought devastation to the world,” he said.
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The Asian region, too, he added, has learned from the painful history of wars, conflicts and disputes. Some of these have not yet been adequately addressed and continue to serve as roots for new and more serious conflicts.
In light of this situation, the Lao leader reiterated that only peaceful methods can resolve global challenges.
“I believe that attempting to address issues through the use of force, coercion, sanctions or isolation only exacerbates the problems, pushing them beyond control and repair, ultimately leading to crises and wars, which bring about devastation to humankind,” the Lao president told the conference.
“Only through a collective effort to address the issues based on the principles of democracy, equality and mutual respect, taking into account the benefits of peace, stability and development to humankind, can we hope to overcome the challenges and crises we face. Regardless of the scale, wars ultimately come to an end through direct engagement, dialogue and compromise.”
If global conflicts and disputes persist, he added, undesirable consequences may unfold in the Asian region, which has experienced rapid development and has become the fastest-growing economy over the years.
Nonetheless, the president maintained an optimistic outlook, saying that Asia has overall managed to uphold peace and stability.
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“We should approach conflicts and disputes in Asia with sincerity and, in the event of any unwanted incidents, all parties concerned should seek peaceful and rational solutions,” he said.
“Importantly, Asia should collectively address these issues among ourselves without external interference.”
To prevent tensions and wars, President Thongloun added, Asia must play an elevated role on the global stage, upholding the principles of peaceful co-existence, mutual respect and strict adherence to the UN Charter and international law.
To ensure the resilience and influential role of the Asian region on the global stage, the Lao leader said sincere cooperation at various levels, through both bilateral and multilateral frameworks, must be upheld. Such cooperation should be based on mutual benefit.
In addition, he said, developed nations have a responsibility to continue assisting less developed nations in Asia to narrow development gaps. Countries should expand cooperation in areas such as politics, economics, socio-cultural affairs, trade and investment, amongst others.
President Thongloun said that Laos, which will assume the rotating Asean Chair in 2024, is “making dedicated efforts to sincerely fulfil our international obligations and continue to engage with Asean Member States and the broader Asian region, as well as beyond, with the aim of leveraging Asia Power to confront regional and global challenges.”
By Times Reporters
(Latest Update May 30, 2023)
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