NEAR Secretary General Lim Byung-jin visited the Embassy of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in Korea on July 3 (Friday) and held a meeting with Kaymany ORABOUNE, Laos Ambassador to Korea.
During the meeting, Secretary-General Lim introduced NEAR's organizational structure, recent activities, the Associate Membership system, and the current status of associate membership by regional governments from Central and Southeast Asia under the NEAR+2 Policy. He also requested the Embassy's support in encouraging two to three regional governments in Laos to join NEAR as associate members.
▲ Secretary-General Lim also invited Ambassador Kaymany ORABOUNE to attend the「2026 NEAR 30th Anniversary Local Cooperation Forum」, to be held on August 20. The forum will commemorate the 30th anniversary of NEAR and provide a platform for discussing new directions for interregional cooperation in response to the evolving international environment.
In response, Ambassador Kaymany ORABOUNE said that Secretary General Lim's detailed presentation had provided an opportunity to gain a better understanding of NEAR's role and significance. She added that he would report the matter to the Lao central government and make every effort to facilitate the participation of two to three Lao regional governments as NEAR associate members. He also requested that the NEAR Secretariat send an official letter to the Embassy of Laos in Korea seeking its cooperation in promoting the associate membership of Lao regional governments.
Ambassador Kaymany ORABOUNE also expressed her appreciation for the invitation to the 「2026 NEAR 30th Anniversary Local Cooperation Forum」 and said that she looked forward to attending the event.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Kaymany ORABOUNE assumed her post as Ambassador in January 2026. Previously, she has served as Deputy Director and Director of Division, Department of Asia-Pacific and Africa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2010.