Lao Ambassador takes office as ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General
Ambassador Ekkaphab Phanthavong, former Permanent Representative of Laos to ASEAN, on October 12 assumed the position of Deputy Secretary General for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC).
Jakarta (VNA) – Ambassador Ekkaphab Phanthavong, former PermanentRepresentative of Laos to ASEAN, on October 12 assumed the position of DeputySecretary General for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC).
Phanthavong willsupport the ASEAN Secretary General in the implementation of the ASCC Blueprint2025, lead the ASCC Department of the ASEAN Secretariat and oversee the realisationof ASCC projects, focusing on establishing a common identity and building acaring and sharing society.
He will serve athree-year term, from 2021 to 2024.
Prior to assuming the post,Phanthavong was Ambassador/ Permanent Representative of Laos to ASEAN forthe 2018-2021 tenure. He was also Deputy Director-General of the ASEANDepartment at the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Pursuant to the ASEANCharter, the Secretary General will be assisted by four Deputy Secretaries Generalwho have nationalities different from that of the Secretary General and comefrom four different ASEAN member countries.
Two Deputy SecretariesGeneral are nominated by ASEAN member states on a rotational basis for anon-renewable term of three years while two others are openly recruited for athree-year term which may be extended for another three years. Phanthavong isone of the two nominated Deputy Secretaries General.
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Lao Ambassador Ekkaphab Phanthavong (Photo: VNA) 
