Senior officials gather for a photo at the recent ASEAN Senior Economic Officials Meeting (SEOM 3/57) and related meetings in Manila, the Philippines, during August 7-11.   --Photo MOIC

Lao delegation joins ASEAN economic officials to prepare for 58th AEM Meeting

ASEAN economic officials have stepped up preparations for the bloc’s 58th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting, including efforts to advance the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) and strengthen regional economic integration.
The Director General of the Negotiation and International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Senior Economic Official (SEOM) Leader of Laos for ASEAN, Mr Xaysana Xayakone, led a delegation to the 3rd/57th ASEAN Senior Economic Officials Meeting (SEOM 3/57) and related meetings in Manila, the Philippines, during August 7-11.
The meeting was chaired by the Director of the Bureau of International Trade Relations of the Philippines’ Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ms Marie Sherylyn D Aquia, and brought together the heads of senior economic officials of ASEAN member states and representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the senior officials reviewed progress in implementing the 2026 priority work plan under the ASEAN Economic Community pillar, chaired by the Philippines, and the implementation of various activities under the ASEAN Economic Community.
They discussed the entry into force of various ASEAN economic agreements, Timor-Leste’s accession to a number of ASEAN economic pacts, and progress in implementing the ASEAN Trade in Services Agreement.
Particular attention was given to internal preparations to seek authorisation for the signing of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, which is expected to provide a foundation for deeper cooperation in the region’s rapidly developing digital economy.
The officials also reviewed preparations for the 58th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting and related dialogue partner meetings, scheduled to be held in the Philippines in mid-September.
The discussions covered ASEAN’s economic cooperation with dialogue partners, including India, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Russia, and cooperation under the ASEAN+3 and the East Asia Summit frameworks.
The outcomes of the SEOM meeting will contribute to preparations for the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting and meetings between the ASEAN Economic Ministers and dialogue partners in September.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update August 12, 2026)