What happened
Bangladesh and Laos held their first Foreign Office Consultations in Vientiane, marking a new institutional step in relations established in 1988.
Officials discussed trade, investment, health, ICT, education, eco-tourism, climate adaptation and consular cooperation.
Why it matters
They agreed to pursue cultural and labour cooperation and exchanges between young diplomats.
Laos reiterated support for Bangladesh's ambition to become an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner and to engage the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.