Lao Deputy PM Addresses UNGA, Seeks Stronger Bilateral Ties

Lao Deputy Prime Minister Thongsavanh is attending the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, engaging in discussions with world leaders on major international challenges including peace and security, inequality, the climate crisis, and the rapid development of artificial intelligence. The General Debate is held under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.” The Lao delegation is participating in the General Debate, as well as related high-level events and bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the session. Deputy Prime Minister Thongsavanh held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Romania, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Mongolia, and Kyrgyzstan, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring opportunities for cooperation. Regionally, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Anoupharb Vongnorkeo represented Laos at the inaugural ASEAN-Pacific Alliance Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, where cooperation in areas such as sustainable development, connectivity, the digital economy, and culture was discussed. Deputy Prime Minister Thongsavanh is scheduled to deliver Laos’ national statement during the UNGA 81 General Debate on September 26. The high-level General Debate will continue through September 28. Domestically, a high-level delegation from the Communist Party of Belarus, led by First Secretary of the Central Committee Sergei Aleksandrovich Syrankov, is paying an official friendship and working visit to Laos from September 21–25 at the invitation of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP). Additionally, the Lao government’s ordinary monthly meeting for September 2026 opened on September 22 at the Prime Minister’s Office, chaired by Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, to review the implementation of priority tasks and consider 16 key issues covering socio-economic development, national action plans, digital technology, natural resources, and legislation. Furthermore, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Lao PDR hosted a banquet in Vientiane on September 21 to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and China, commemorated as the Year of China-Laos Friendship. Prior to this, on September 21, 2026, Vietnamese Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc paid an official visit to Laos, holding separate meetings with General Secretary and President of the Lao PDR Thongloun Sisoulith and Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. These developments highlight Laos's efforts to deepen international engagement while maintaining and strengthening ties with key neighbors like China and Vietnam, and to promote domestic socio-economic development. As a one-party state, Laos places significant importance on its relationship with neighboring countries, particularly economic powerhouse China, to foster economic growth and stability. Laos's participation in the UNGA also serves as a platform to voice its priorities on the international stage and seek global support for its development challenges. Source: KPL Laos News