18 December 2024 – H.E. Dato’ Shahril Effendi Abd Ghany, Ambassador of Malaysia to Japan, attended the ASEAN Committee in Tokyo (ACT) Handover Ceremony, hosted by the Embassy of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in Japan. The event marked the official transfer of the ACT Chairmanship from Lao PDR to Malaysia for the term spanning January to June 2025. In his remarks, H.E. Dato’ Shahril Effendi expressed Malaysia’s commitment to continuing the excellent work of the ACT in promoting ASEAN’s unity and cooperation in Japan.

The ceremony was also attended by H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, alongside other heads of mission from ASEAN member states to Japan. In his remarks, H.E. Dr. Kao praised the collaborative spirit of ACT in fostering regional unity and advancing shared goals and cooperation with Japan. He also expressed confidence in Malaysia’s leadership during its tenure as the chair of the ASEAN Committee in Tokyo (ACT), emphasizing the critical role ACT plays in strengthening ASEAN-Japan relations.

The Embassy of Malaysia in Japan would like to take this opportunity to extend its gratitude to H.E. Phongsamouth Anlavan, Ambassador of the Lao PDR to Japan, and the Embassy of the Lao PDR in Japan for their exemplary leadership in ACT from July to December 2024.