Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – The Lao government recently held a one-and-a-half-day special meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Somxay Siphandone, with the Deputy Prime Minister, government members, and representatives from various ministries and relevant organizations in attendance. This meeting coincided with the government's regular meeting window in January and February 2026, following the completion of the 10th National Assembly elections and the 5th People's Council elections in Vientiane and various provinces on February 22nd. It was also an important meeting for intensive preparations for the first regular meeting of the 10th National Assembly and the 10th government.
The meeting focused on reviewing several key issues, covering four main categories: strategic planning, livelihood affairs, policy implementation, and draft legislation: Urgent Priorities: Drafting the Prime Minister's statement on the 10th Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2026-2030); Disaster Management and Industrial Development: Progress in managing the landslide disaster in Thongmang Village, Xaithany District, Vientiane; the current status and future development direction of Laos' tourism industry in 2025; Policy Implementation and Long-Term Vision: Implementing Electric Vehicle Policy No. 08/LP of 2021 and subsequent optimization recommendations; reviewing the 10-year socio-economic development strategy (2026-2035) and the National Vision for 2055; Draft Legislation: Draft laws on the transport of dangerous goods by land and rail, and draft laws on international non-governmental organizations. In addition, the meeting distributed five documents for government members to study and submit written comments to the Prime Minister's Office, including: a summary of the government's unfinished work in January and February and the direction of the work plan for March; a draft resolution approving the 2026 Road Construction Improvement Plan; a draft resolution approving the 2026-2030 Tax Administration Modernization Implementation Plan; a draft agreement on the plan for reviewing documents at the 2026 government meetings; and a draft resolution on the division of responsibilities for the implementation of the revised resolution No. 04/Kọọọ of 2024.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Somxay Siphandone emphasized that the current regional and international situation is tense and complex, with ongoing challenges such as military conflicts, trade frictions, and border issues, which not only threaten the lives and property of people in many countries but also exacerbate global economic fluctuations. Laos cannot completely avoid the direct or indirect impacts. He urged government members to continue to closely monitor the development of the situation, take timely corrective measures, and ensure the livelihood, operation of government affairs, and stable socio-economic development of the country. He also called on all parties to put forward in-depth and pragmatic opinions on the meeting's topics, build consensus, and ensure the successful achievement of the meeting's established goals.
