Phnom penh: The ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN) has officially handed over its chairmanship to Mrs Chanthachone Vongsay, President of the Lao Women Entrepreneurs Association, during a ceremony held in the Cambodian capital.

According to Lao News Agency, the event was attended by Mr Khieu Kanharith, Member of the Supreme Privy Council to the King of Cambodia, as well as ambassadors and AWEN focal points from across the ASEAN region. Laos was represented by Mrs Boupphamany Chounlamany, Board Member of the Lao Women Entrepreneurs Association and Vice Chair of AWEN Lao PDR.

Mrs Chanthachone succeeds Dr Eng Lykuong as AWEN Chair and is set to serve the 2026-2027 term, beginning in January 2026. In her acceptance remarks, she expressed her commitment to advancing AWEN’s core mission. Her agenda includes strengthening the regional network of women entrepreneurs, fostering knowledge-sharing and cross-border cooperation, and supporting innovation and economic growth led by women in ASEAN. She highlighted the importance of developing platforms that enhance the competitiveness of women-led businesses both regionally and internationally.

The ceremony also marked a significant milestone for the organisation with the formal admission of Timor-Leste as AWEN’s 11th member country.