Former Lao Party General Secretary Chummaly Sayasone (L) congratulates President Bounnhang Volachith (Source: VNA)
Vientiane (VNA) – A number of high-ranking leaders of Laos were elected during the ongoinꦆg first session of the 8th National Assembly (NA) on the morning of April 20.
With a majority of votes, Pany Yathotou, Chairwoman of the 7th NA, was re-elected as the top legislator in the 8th tenure. Meanwhile, Bounpone Buttanavong, Somphan Phengkhammy, Sengnoun Sayalath and Sisay Ludethmounson were voted as NA Vice Chairpersons.
The National Assembly then elected Bounnhang Volachith as State President and Phankham Viphavan as Vice President.
Following the new President’s recommendation, the legislature casted ballots to choose the new Prime Minister. With a majority of votes, Thongloun Sisoulith won the election.
Later, the legislature approved a list of Cabinet members submitted by the new PM and elected the Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court and Prosecutor General of the Supreme People’s Procuracy.
In the afternoon, lawmakers were expected to discuss and adopt the 8th five-year national socio-economic development plan, a national strategy for the next 10 years, the country’s vision towards 2030, and a state budget plan for 2016-2020.-VNA
Personnel issues and strengthening the government apparatus will be the main focuses of the 8 th Lao National Assembly’s first meeting, slated to open on April 20, a Lao official has said.
The first session of the 8th Lao National Assembly is taking place in Vientiane from April 20 to 23, with the personnel issue and structure of the Government and judicial agencies top of the agenda.
Connectivity is expected to improve further with the completion of the fifth Laos–Thailand Friendship Bridge by the end of 2025, facilitating logistics and agricultural exports to Vietnam, Thailand, and China.
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In the today context of socio-economic development and growth, the professionalism of Vietnam’s revolutionary journalists continues to rise, guided by exemplary mastery of new information technologies and the modernisation of their founding principles to preserve the enduring values of revolutionary journalism.
Thai Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Vuttikrai Leewiraphan Thailand's formal proposal will be substantial enough for the US to consider further detailed negotiations. He hoped for a tariff rate not exceeding 10% and suggested that the US might extend the negotiation period if an agreement is not reached by the July 8 deadline.
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The lab focuses on four key thematic areas: energy transition and green innovation, sustainable agriculture, circular economy and sustainable cities, and nature-based solutions and biodiversity.
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Efforts to empower women must transcend dialogue and translate into concrete commitments, including corporate pledges and government partnerships, according to the spouse of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The forum featured two in-depth discussion sessions, engaging representatives from governments, think tanks, and businesses from both ASEAN and China, on how to forge closer ties for a common future.
The new FIFA Hub in Jakarta will not only support football development in Indonesia but also serve as a coordination centre for 21 football associations across Southeast and East Asia.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen reaffirmed Vietnam’s principled and consistent stance on the Palestine issue, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire across the entire Gaza Strip.
PM Anwar Ibrahim affirmed the determination of Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, to utilise all viable regional mechanisms of the bloc and work with partners to de-escalate violence and restore a peace process led by Myanmar.
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The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
Former Lao Party General Secretary Chummaly Sayasone (L) congratulates President Bounnhang Volachith (Source: VNA)
