Party Secretary General and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith addresses the Party’s opening session on Tuesday.

Party reaffirms rural development, LDC graduation as top priorities

Rural development, improved living standards, and efforts to steer Laos out of Least Developed Country (LDC) status were reaffirmed as national priorities at the opening of the Party Central Committee’s plenary session this week.
The priorities were highlighted as Party leaders gathered in Vientiane for the 3rd Plenary Session of the 12th Party Central Committee to review socio-economic progress, poverty reduction efforts, and measures to strengthen governance and combat corruption.
The three-day session from May 19-21 is taking place at the Office of the Party Central Committee, attended by Politburo members, the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee, and full and alternate members of the Party Central Committee.
After hearing reports on task implementation over the past six months and plans for the remainder of the year, Party Secretary General and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith addressed the session.
He said development remains the Party’s central task, stressing that economic growth must go hand in hand with sustainable resource management and improvements in people’s overall quality of life.
Mr Thongloun said the Party has consistently viewed development as a historic mission aimed at overcoming poverty and underdevelopment while building a stronger economic foundation.
He emphasised that sustainable development must ensure the efficient and balanced use of natural resources while avoiding depletion, adding that economic progress should also focus on human resources and improvement of people’s welfare.
The Party leader further stressed that people must benefit equitably from national development so they can become an active driving force in the country’s continued progress.
A major focus of the plenary session is the review of the implementation of the National Socio-Economic Development Plan, the state budget plan, and monetary policy implementation during the first six months of 2026, along with targets and priorities for the remainder of the year.
Delegates are also discussing a draft summary report on rural development, poverty eradication, and implementation of the Party Central Committee’s “Sam Sang” (Three Builds) directive.
Rural development and poverty eradication are expected to be elevated as a national agenda.
The meeting is also considering a draft resolution on preventing and combating corruption, bureaucratic misconduct, extravagance, abuse of authority, and other negative practices within state organisations and the public.
In addition, participants will receive briefings on important Party documents, including Order No. 11, issued by the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee on May 7 concerning strengthened Party leadership in mineral resource management and the resolution of issues related to natural resources.
Mr Thongloun called on Party members to strengthen their political responsibility, contribute their collective wisdom, and provide practical recommendations to ensure effective implementation of Party policies and the successful achievement of goals set by the 12th National Party Congress.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update May 21, 2026)