The 6th ASEAN Autism Network (AAN) Congress was officially organized which hosted by Association for Autism (AfA) – Lao PDR. AfA, ASEAN countries member states and APCD collaborated to organize this important event on 21 – 22 June 2025 at Vientiane, Lao PDR.
APCD mission to Lao PDR during 20-23 June 2025, led by Mr. Somchai Rungsilp, Manager of Community Development Department (CDD) and Mr. Chayoot Homdee, CDD Officer from APCD, represented APCD joined the congress to support activities, assist organizing the AAN Executive Committee Meeting, follow up previous activities for ASEAN Autism Self-Advocate Network (AASAN) and check need assessment of future collaboration and strengthen partnership among AfA, AAN, APCD and London School of Public Relations (LSPR) (as existing secretariat of AAN).
On 21 June 2025, there were 2 highlight activities, ASEAN Autism Games and AAN Executive Committee Meeting. ASEAN Autism Games had verities of activities included competition sports, family sports, cultural dance. After ASEAN Autism Games, there was an Executive Committee Meeting in the evening, each country discussed on national activities, handover chairperson for the next term, working method with secretariats, logo adjustment and membership fees. The AAN Executive Committee Meeting was a fruitful discussion in order to commit on promoting inclusive society for persons with Autism in the future.
On 22 June 2025, AAN Congress was organized. The representatives from Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, The Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam presented their best practiced on the implementation of activities and sharing good practices of the development and empowerment of persons with Autism.
The Highlight of this gathering is the in-person chairmanship handover from Mr. Syvang Xayyavong (Lao PDR) to Mr. Chan Sarin (Cambodia).
Group Photo AAN Executive Committee Meeting for Future planning with the representatives from Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, The Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and APCD joined the meeting and the meeting was conducted on 20 June 2025.
Chairmanship was handover from Mr. Syvang Xayyavong, President of Association for Autism (AfA), Lao PDR to Mr. Chan Sarin, Chairman of Cambodia Autism Network (CAN), Cambodia as a new AAN Chairman for year 2025-2027.
More than 60 participants approximately joined the Congress, included AAN members, OPDs in Lao PDR, the organizer and APCD representatives.
Representatives from each AAN member state and APCD representative Mr. Somchai Rungsilp, Manager, Community Development Department clasped hands, symbolizing strengthened cooperation and empowerment at the Congress.
Group photo of the athletes with Autism, AAN members, organizer and APCD at the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Autism Games.
The athletes with autism represented Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam competed the inclusive sport games, included Mr. Chayoot Homdee, staff with Autism from APCD.
Representatives from APCD and Autistic Thai Foundation raised their hands up, symbolizing the empower of persons with autism participated in sports
