To the government and the people of Laos, thank you so much for the kind welcome that you’ve extended to me and my delegation. I am very honored to be the first American president to visit Laos. (Applause.) Thank you.
I am told that this hall is where you come together for the national singing contest. And I know that you celebrate your musical traditions, including kap lam. But I’m not going to sing today, so you should not worry. As you host leaders from across Southeast Asia and beyond, I do want to thank Laos for your leadership as this year’s chair of ASEAN.