9th ASEM logo, website launched

VIENTIANE,01.19.2012 (KPL)- Lao Government, the host of 9th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit (9th ASEM) on 5-6 November 2012, in Vientiane, yesterday launched a logo and new website for the coming 9th ASEM: www.asem9.la to provide useful information to all delegates and journalists. The 9th ASEM website was officially opened by Deputy Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith who is also Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Vientiane Capital, in the presence of high-ranking officials of Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and Ministry of Post, Telecommunications and Communication. Lao PDR is preparing for the host of the coming 9th Asia-Europe Meeting, scheduled on 5-6 November 2012. The website was designed and built by the Grass Design Group Co Ltd, aiming to make comfortable to the delegations of 46 countries and ASEAN Secretary and EU Commission, the members of ASEM to attend the 9th ASEM. Different useful information such as a welcome message of Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, 9th ASEM events, hotels, Laos and other recreation has been hanged on the website. The ASEM is an international arena between Asia and Europe, ranging from complex issues and international challenges in two regions that are interest and request to be addressed together. The first ASEM was established in 1996 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the main purpose to boost mutual understanding, tighten up relations and cooperation between two continents-Asia and Europe to nurture the peace and socio-economic development of two regions. The Director of Economics Department of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Thongphanh Savanphet said that the ASEM 9 is shorthand way of describing the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit that is set to be held in Vientiane Lao PDR in November 2012, it will be by far the largest high-level meeting of its kind ever held in this country. The spinning and weaving of silk has a long tradition in Laos, a tradition that has been built on a combination of artistic creativity and fine handicraft. The ASEM9 logo reflects this tradition utilizing stands of colorful silk to paint a picture, with the letter “a” representing Asia and the letter “e” representing Europe in the elegantly stylized logo. We also see the combination of the reds, yellows and the blues of Asia and Europe, the 9 silk lines represent the ASEM 9. The beautiful Champa “franqupani” is the national flower of Laos it has a wonderful perfume that naturally welcome all the delegates to ASEM9. The green ribbon in the logo represents the amazing natural forests of Laos, an abundance of green in a country that encourages people to plant more and more trees. In addition, the green ribbon also represents green growth concept, the ribbon ties the two continents Asia and Europe together in a manner that highlight the close relationship between these continents and at the same time celebrates ASEM 9. The theme of the ASEM 9 “Friends for Peace, Partners for Prosperity” is also reflected in the two upper stretches of the ribbon. Also, the “ASEM 9” written in the logo represents a combination of the Lao and Latin scripts.