Category: Government Policy

Vientiane: The Organization Board of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, in collaboration with experts from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, convened a seminar in Vientiane on September 8, 2026, to discuss working methods, leadership styles, and coordination between Party and administrative authorities at various levels.

According to Lao News Agency, the seminar, themed ‘Working Methods, Style, and Coordination Relations between Party Committee Secretaries and Chairpersons of Administration Committees at the Capital, Provincial, District, and Municipal Levels,’ was presided over by General Vilay Lakhamphong. He is a Political Bureau Member of the LPRP Central Committee and a Permanent Member of the Secretariat of the LPRP Central Committee.

The event was attended by several prominent figures, including Sisay Leudetmounsone, a Political Bureau Member of the LPRP Central Committee and Head of the Party Central Committee’s Organization Board, along with other Political Bureau members, members of the Party Central Committee Secretariat, provincial and capital Party secretaries, and a delegation of Vietnamese experts.

During the seminar, Nguyen Ba Chien, Director of the Academy of Public Administration and Civil Service from Vietnam, shared insights on Vietnam’s practice of having officials hold dual positions, such as Party secretaries also serving as People’s Council chairpersons. This presentation explored the model’s origins, benefits, and challenges, providing a learning opportunity for the Lao side to consider adapting it to their context.

General Vilay Lakhamphong emphasized the seminar’s role in reinforcing the strong traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries’ Parties, States, and peoples. He noted that this exchange is part of fulfilling the memorandum of understanding between the two Political Bureaus and the cooperation agreement for 2026-2030.

In the latter part of the seminar, Sisay Leudetmounsone presented draft reports on regulatory frameworks concerning the working methods and relations between Party Committee secretaries and administration committee chairpersons at various administrative levels. These regulations aim to enhance coordination and establish clear mandates and responsibilities for officials.

Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee and President of the Lao PDR, concluded the seminar by urging participants to study and adapt the Vietnamese governance model to Laos’ circumstances. He underscored the importance of people-centred development and the principle of democratic centralism in governance.

Furthermore, he addressed the re-establishment of the Ta Saeng level, underscoring its potential to bolster Party leadership and grassroots management. He encouraged officials to define roles and responsibilities clearly to strengthen local socio-economic development and reduce poverty in Laos.

Vientiane: Key officials, department heads and media representatives gathered in Vientiane on September 9, 2026 for a dissemination and study meeting on major Party documents, including the Resolution of the 3rd Plenary Session of the 12th Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP).

According to Lao News Agency, the meeting focused on key directions for political and socio-economic development, grassroots governance, national security, economic management and information and education work. Participants studied three major documents: the Resolution of the 3rd Plenary Session of the 12th Central Committee; Resolution No. 62/CCPC, dated July 9, 2026, on strengthening Party leadership over grassroots political establishments in connection with rural development, poverty reduction and the ‘Three Builds’ directive; and Resolution No. 60/CCPC on the outcomes of the 6th Party Congress of the Party Organization of the Commission for Information and Education of the Party Central Committee (CIEC
C).

The meeting also disseminated the 5-Year CIECC (2026-2030), which comprises nine key programmes and 42 projects to be implemented through 2030. Speaking at the meeting, Khamphan Pheuyavong, Head of the Commission for Information and Education of the Party Central Committee (CIECC), stressed that the implementation of Party policies and resolutions must begin at the grassroots and municipal levels.

He highlighted ongoing coordination among relevant sectors, including the Ministry of Home Affairs, to strengthen community security, protect agricultural production, combat drug trafficking and maintain stable trade and economic activities. He said transnational and domestic security challenges remained a concern, particularly cybercrime, scam operations, call centres and unauthorised businesses. Authorities have reportedly apprehended around 770 people suspected of involvement in cross-border scam networks for investigation.

Khamphan noted that illegal networks have increasingly moved into less visible loca
tions, including urban areas, restaurants and residential communities, requiring stronger monitoring at the local level. District and municipal authorities have also been instructed to strengthen household registration, monitor the movement of transient workers and strictly manage foreign labour.

Regarding economic performance, he said the national economy had faced pressure from global trade tensions, fluctuations in raw material prices and high production costs during the first half of 2026. Nevertheless, GDP growth was estimated at 5-6%, while inflation fell to around 7.7%. Average income increased by approximately 5.4%.

To support economic stability, the government is prioritising domestic production and import substitution, while improving revenue collection through digital monitoring systems covering restaurants, hotels and other businesses. Public expenditure will also be subject to tighter controls.

Khamphan stressed the need for continued investment in rural infrastructure, road maintenance and so
cial welfare, particularly to support low-income and vulnerable households and strengthen sustainable livelihoods. He called for closer coordination among local authorities, security forces and administrative bodies to strengthen grassroots security, support socio-economic development and maintain national stability.

Vientiane: Mr. Wang Xiaohong, Member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Minister of Public Security of China, met with Mr. Vanthong Kongmany, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and Minister of Public Security of Laos, in Beijing on September 6, 2026.

According to Lao News Agency, Mr. Wang Xiaohong emphasized China’s willingness to collaborate with Laos to implement the common understandings reached by the top leaders of the two Parties and two countries. The focus is on strengthening bilateral cooperation planning and deepening collaboration in key areas.

These key areas of cooperation include tackling online gambling and telecommunications fraud, suppressing drug trafficking, tracking and apprehending fugitives, recovering illicit assets, and maintaining border security. Mr. Wang also highlighted the importance of enhanced security cooperation along the Laos-China Railway to contribute to building a China-Laos community wi
th a shared future in the new era.

Mr. Vanthong Kongmany expressed gratitude to China for its enduring support and assistance to Laos. He affirmed Laos’ readiness to enhance law enforcement and security cooperation with China and to further advance bilateral relations.

The meeting concluded with the signing of relevant cooperation documents by the two sides.

Vientiane: Mr. Anoupharb Vongnorkeo, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, representing the Government of the Lao PDR, received the credentials of Ms. Ayshanie Ilanka Medagangoda-Lab©, the newly appointed Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to the Lao PDR, on September 7, 2026.

According to Lao News Agency, the meeting was attended by officials from relevant departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives of the UNDP office in the Lao PDR. Deputy Minister Anoupharb extended a warm welcome and congratulations to Ms. Ayshanie on her new appointment. He acknowledged the productive collaboration between the Government of the Lao PDR and UNDP over the years, highlighting UNDP’s contributions to the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan, the formulation of the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2026-2030), and efforts in unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Deputy Minister Anoupharb emphasized that these initiatives have facilitated the Lao PDR’s transition from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. He expressed confidence in continued cooperation under Ms. Ayshanie’s leadership, focusing on the Government’s priorities outlined in the Country Programme Document for the 2027-2031 cycle.

Ms. Ayshanie thanked Deputy Minister Anoupharb and the Lao Government for their warm reception. She committed to enhancing cooperation with the Lao PDR and supporting its socio-economic development plans and key government priorities in the years ahead.

Vientiane: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 7, 2026, inaugurated its first short training course on inspection work at its headquarters in Vientiane. The course aims to enhance the capabilities of personnel tasked with inspection duties within the ministry.

According to Lao News Agency, the opening ceremony was led by Anoupharb Vongnorkeo, a Member of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs overseeing inspection work. The event saw participation from representatives of the Inspection Committee of the Central Party Committee and the State Inspection Authority, along with Party branch secretaries, deputy secretaries, and Party members responsible for inspection work within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In total, 37 participants, including eight women, attended the training.

The training course is designed to communicate the insights and results of the 5th Nationwide Inspection Work Conference. It aims to deepen participants’ understanding of
the Party’s views, guidelines, and policies on inspection work. Additionally, it aspires to enhance participants’ ability to apply the acquired knowledge to leadership, management, and inspection tasks, thereby boosting the effectiveness and efficiency of inspection work within the ministry.

Anoupharb Vongnorkeo, in his address during the opening ceremony, highlighted the significance of inspection work. He pointed out that the Party considers internal monitoring and inspection to be a strategic task intertwined with Party leadership and state management. He emphasized that inspection should be integrated into all aspects of work and conducted regularly as a vital component of leadership and management.

The two-day training course, scheduled from September 7-8, includes direct exchanges of knowledge and practical experiences between participants and seasoned lecturers from the Inspection Committee of the Central Party Committee and the State Inspection Authority. Key topics of the course cover Party and sta
te monitoring and inspection work, anti-corruption and corruption-prevention strategies, monitoring inspection outcomes, and proactive issue resolution from the beginning.

Anoupharb Vongnorkeo encouraged participants to maintain a strong sense of responsibility, dedicate themselves to learning, and engage in open exchanges of practical experiences with lecturers and fellow participants. This approach is expected to strengthen their professional capacities and ensure the training meets its intended goals.

Vientiane: On September 1, 2026, Brigadier General Sivilay Phengsantisouk, Standing Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Head of the Luang Prabang Political Military Command, led a delegation to present a flower basket and extend congratulations to the Consulate General of Vietnam in Northern Laos and the Office of the Dien Bien Trade Center in Northern Laos on Vietnam’s 81st National Day.

According to Lao News Agency, the delegation was warmly received by Vu Ngoc Ly, Consul General of Vietnam in Northern Laos, and Pham Tuan Minh, Head of the Office of the Dien Bien Trade Center, along with their respective delegations.

Brigadier General Sivilay conveyed best wishes for good health and success, and expressed his hope that the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam, particularly between the two countries’ military and local authorities, would continue to deepen.

The Vietnamese representatives expressed appreciation for the visit and extended best
wishes to the leadership, officers, and soldiers of the Luang Prabang Provincial Military Command, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the enduring special relationship between the two countries.

Hanoi: On the occasion of the 81st National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the leaders of Vietnam extended heartfelt sentiments of comradeship and brotherhood to the leaders and people of Laos. The celebration marks the historic moment when President Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam’s independence on 2 September 1945 at Ba Dinh Square, leading to the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. This pivotal event marked the beginning of a new era for Vietnam, characterized by national independence associated with socialism.

According to Lao News Agency, Vietnam’s journey since independence has been marked by significant achievements, particularly through the Doi Moi (Renewal) process initiated over 40 years ago. The Vietnamese economy has shown robust growth, maintaining an average rate of 7% per year. From a per capita income of less than US$100 in 1986, Vietnam’s economy is projected to reach approximately US$514 billion by 2025, ranking 32nd globally, with GDP
per capita exceeding US$5,000. The nation’s trade turnover has also hit a record high, placing Vietnam among the top 20 trading economies worldwide.

The year 2025 marked a crucial milestone in Vietnam’s history with significant state administrative reforms, including restructuring and streamlining of the state apparatus. This laid the foundation for renewed national governance and sustainable development. In early 2026, the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam set strategic goals for the country’s development towards 2030 and beyond, aiming to achieve upper-middle-income status and eventually becoming a developed, high-income country by 2045.

Vietnam’s foreign policy continues to focus on independence, cooperation, and development, maintaining diplomatic relations with 194 countries and playing an active role in regional and global cooperation. The nation successfully hosted significant international events, including the P4G Summit and the ASEAN Future Forum, and was re-elected to the U
nited Nations Human Rights Council for 2026-2028.

The enduring relationship between Vietnam and Laos remains a cornerstone of Vietnam’s foreign policy. The two nations recently agreed to enhance their bilateral relations by incorporating ‘strategic cohesion,’ reflecting a deep, long-term vision for mutual development. Vietnam continues to be a major investor in Laos, with significant advancements in trade and investment cooperation, including plans for strategic projects such as the Vung Ang International Port and the Vientiane-Vung Ang railway.

Educational and cultural exchanges further strengthen the Vietnam-Laos bond, with many Lao students and officials trained in Vietnam contributing to Laos’s development. Similarly, Vietnamese individuals studying and working in Laos help solidify the relationship between the two nations.

Despite global uncertainties, the Vietnam-Laos relationship continues to hold strategic importance. Both countries affirm their commitment to standing together, sharing experiences,
and supporting each other for mutual benefits and development, ensuring that the special solidarity between them remains enduring and prosperous for generations to come.

Bishkek: President Thongloun Sisoulith led a Lao delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus Meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, from August 31 to September 1, marking Laos’ first participation as an official SCO Dialogue Partner.

According to Lao News Agency, the meeting was held under the theme ‘The United Nations as a Key Element of a Fair World Order: The Contribution of the SCO Plus States to the Formation of a Multipolar World.’ It brought together leaders and representatives of SCO member states, dialogue partners, and observer states.

During the meeting, President Thongloun reaffirmed Laos’ support for multilateralism and highlighted the central role of the United Nations in promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development. He expressed enthusiasm for Laos’ new dialogue partnership with the SCO and pledged constructive participation in regional cooperation efforts.

Laos introduced four key areas for collaboration: agriculture and food security; digital transformation; transport, connectivity, and integration; and banking and financial cooperation. These priority areas aim to strengthen regional ties and foster mutual growth.

In addition to the main event, President Thongloun engaged in bilateral discussions with leaders from Kyrgyzstan and Belarus, as well as the SCO Secretary-General, to explore future cooperation opportunities.

Vientiane capital: Mr. Khamlavanh Chanthalavanh, President of the Lao Red Cross, held a meeting with Ms. Krongkanit Rakcharoen, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Lao PDR, to discuss avenues for bilateral cooperation.

According to Lao News Agency, the meeting took place on September 2, 2026, in Vientiane Capital. Mr. Khamlavanh expressed his appreciation for the ambassador’s visit and highlighted that it serves to further strengthen the longstanding friendship and cooperative efforts between Laos and Thailand, benefiting both nations’ citizens.

During the meeting, Mr. Khamlavanh thanked the Government of Thailand for its ongoing support to the Lao PDR, emphasizing that such assistance has played a crucial role in enhancing the good-neighbourly relations between the two countries.

Ms. Krongkanit reciprocated the warm sentiments, expressing her gratitude for the hospitality extended by the Lao Red Cross president.