Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (celebrated on December 2nd) and the 105th anniversary of the birth of revolutionary leader President Kaysone Phomvihane (December 13th), Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith addressed a commemorative ceremony in Vientiane on Friday, calling for national unity, upholding revolutionary principles, accelerating the pace of reform, and carrying on the legacy of the founding leader to advance national development.
Remembering Kaysone Phomvihane's Historical Contributions
Thongloun praised Kaysone Phomvihane as the core architect of the Lao revolution, who led key processes such as the establishment of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the formation of the Lao People's Army, and the founding of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in 1975. Kaysone served as Prime Minister from 1975 to 1991 and President from 1991 to 1992, during which time he combined Marxism-Leninism with Lao patriotism, integrating scattered anti-colonial forces into a unified national independence movement.
Through a multi-pronged strategy of political support, armed struggle, negotiation, and diplomacy, he led Laos to national liberation, ushering in a new era of socio-political change. In the early years of nationhood, Kaysone guided the country through multiple challenges, including post-war reconstruction and economic stabilization. The reform policies initiated nearly forty years ago laid a crucial foundation for Laos' long-term socio-economic reforms.
Thongloun called for carrying on the legacy and advancing national development. He urged leaders at all levels and the public to uphold national unity as the cornerstone of political stability, adhering to the revolutionary principles, humility, and integrity upheld by Kaysone and the founding generation. Faced with a complex internal and external environment, he stressed the need to proactively innovate Party policies, build an independent economic system, and strengthen international cooperation to expand development opportunities.
He emphasized the need to implement Kaysone's initiatives, accelerate development in rural and remote areas, increase education, extend technological and economic opportunities to villages nationwide, and ensure that the people remain at the core of the national development strategy. Thongloun reiterated that the Party and government will continue to improve public services, economic opportunities, and social welfare, ensuring that the fruits of development benefit all people.
Taking the 12th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party as an Opportunity to Draw a New Blueprint
Thongloun pointed out that the upcoming 12th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party will be an important milestone in assessing achievements, learning lessons, and establishing a new direction, helping the country achieve more resilient, efficient, and sustainable development. The Congress will focus on strengthening ideological education, organizational discipline, and national governance, echoing Kaesong's concept that "a strong political foundation is the core driving force for socio-economic progress."
"President Kaesong Phomvihane was a great hero of the Lao nation, and his ideals will continue to guide our Party's mission and will forever be engraved in the hearts of all the Lao people," Thongloun emphasized in his speech.
