Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr Kao Kim Hourn attended the 8th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Drug Matters (8th AMMD) today in Vientiane, Lao PDR. Chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Security of Lao PDR Pol Gen Vilay Lakhamphong, the meeting was attended by representatives of ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste as observer.

The meeting discussed the progress of the implementation of the ASEAN Work Plan on Securing Communities Against Illicit Drugs 2016-2025 and emphasised the importance of addressing and mitigating the impact of emerging challenges arising from the current illicit drugs situation in the region. The ASEAN Drug Monitoring Report 2022, a flagship initiative of ASEAN in combating illicit drugs, was launched at the opening ceremony of the 8th AMMD.