Officials from various organisations and local residents on Saturday gather at the That Luang esplanade in Vientiane to consecrate the body of the President of the Central Buddhist Fellowship Organisation, the Most Venerable Maha Bounma Simmaphom, who died recently. The ceremony was attended by monks from temples in Laos and other countries, and President Thongloun Sisoulith and Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, along with other government leaders and former leaders. --Photo Pathetlao

The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Laos, Mr Jung Yung-soo, and Laos’ Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr Linkham Douangsavanh, join other Lao and Korean officials in planting a tree to celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and the Republic of Korea. The event, which also marked National Arbour Day, took place at the Korea REDD+ Centre in Dongmakkhai village, Xaythany district, Vientiane. The centre supports efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in Phongsaly province. The ceremonial tree planting highlighted the two countries’ continued cooperation in promoting environmental sustainability and strengthening bilateral ties.

Members of the Laos-Korea Friendship Association, led by the Association's Chairman, Mr Khamsoy Keodalavong (centre left), last week give medical supplies worth US$6,000 to National Assembly member Ms Bingkham Lazasimma, who is also a member of the Party Central Committee, member of the National People's Committee, and Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Economy, Technology and Environment. This was the second gift from the Laos-Korea Friendship Association to the National Assembly, following on from the first in April 2023, when 54 skincare products worth 240 million kip (US$14,112) were donated.

Officials from Khammuan province’s Agriculture and Forestry Department, other agriculture bodies and technical staff last week donate vegetable growing equipment, roofing sheets, bio-fertiliser and crop seeds to officials from Nakai, Yommalath and Nongbok districts. The supplies will be used for rainy season crop cultivation by established farming groups in these villages.  --Photo Dengsavath