ASEAN summit and related meetings, focusing on Myanmar, are currently being held in Vientiane, Laos. 

On October 8, Myanmar’s representative delegation, led by a senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, participated in several key meetings, including the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the 28th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting, and the 35th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs(MOFA).

ASEAN foreign ministers, senior officials, and the ASEAN Secretary-General were in attendance, while Timor-Leste’s foreign minister also participated as an observer nation. 

The meetings covered preparations for the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits, discussions on Laos' 2024 ASEAN chairmanship priorities, and updates on the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Roadmap and ASEAN Vision 2045.

The Myanmar delegation expressed its support for Laos' leadership and emphasized continued cooperation with ASEAN member states. 

Additionally, the ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting approved the appointment of retired Myanmar Ambassador U San Lwin as the next Deputy Secretary-General for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.

Diplomatic sources mentioned that for the first time in three years, a Myanmar delegate is expected to be sent to the ASEAN Summit, following the military's takeover of the government in 2021. 

Since then, ASEAN had barred Myanmar military leaders from attending official meetings.

International media reported that U Aung Kyaw Moe, Myanmar's permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, declined to answer questions from reporters. 

The primary focus of this week’s summit is expected to be Myanmar's crisis, the failure of the military government to implement the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus, and allowing humanitarian aid into the country.

Human rights groups and NGOs have criticized the participation of Myanmar’s officials, claiming that allowing their presence legitimizes the military government. 

The 2024 ASEAN Summit will take place in Vientiane from October 8 to 11, and Laos will hand over the ASEAN chairmanship to Malaysia on October 11.

In addition, China's Premier Li Qiang, Japan's new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and leaders from South Korea, Australia, and Canada are expected to attend the related ASEAN meetings.