Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has called on the government and businesses to convert the success of the Asean Summits hosted by Laos last year into productive outcomes, to maximise the benefits brought to the nation.

Mr Thongloun made the comment at a ceremony held yesterday in Vientiane to award organisations, companies and individuals for their contributions to the success of Laos' chairmanship of Asean last year, including hosting the 28th and 29th Asean Summits and other related summits and meetings.

The Prime Minister said he highly valued the success of Laos' Asean chairmanship, which he said had raised the profile of the country on the regional and global stages.

Laos hosted and chaired 80 Asean meetings at various levels last year, ranging from heads of state and government to ministerial, senior official, and technical expert levels. The government hosted and chaired 11 summits in Vientiane, and co-chaired two summits with Asean dialogue partners in the United States and Russia.

The year 2016 was the first year of the newly-formed Asean Community, and the first year of implementing the Asean Community Vision 2025. Based on its importance, Laos chose "Turning Vision into Reality for a Dynamic Asean Community" as the theme of its chairmanship.

Prime Minister Thongloun, representing the Party and government, thanked and expressed appreciation to government employees, soldiers, police officers, business operators, traders and vendors, and all multiethnic people for their active contribution in line with their obligations, as well as for their enthusiastic participation in hosting the Asean meetings.

He also thanked Asean member countries, Asean dialogue partners, and other friendly countries for their assistance, support and cooperation, which he said had contributed to the success of Laos' chairmanship of Asean.