Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone receives a courtesy call from Ms Louise Mushikiwabo at the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday.

La Francophonie Secretary-General’s visit gives boost to French language education 

The government and the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) reaffirmed their intention to strengthen cooperation in education and French language teaching in particular during a visit by the organisation’s Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo on March 4-5.
The International Organisation of La Francophonie is an international body representing states and governments that have a notable affiliation with French language and culture.
The success of ongoing engagement between the government and the OIF was underscored when Ms Mushikiwabo and her delegation paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone on March 5.
The prime minister welcomed the visit and observed that it came 10 years after a visit by former OIF Secretary-General Michaëlle Jean to Laos in 2016. He noted the steady development of cooperation between Laos and the OIF since the country became a full member of the organisation in 1991.
Dr Sonexay expressed appreciation for the organisation’s continued support through various cooperation frameworks, particularly in promoting French language education, training French teachers, and supporting vocational training and other areas that contribute to Laos’ development.
He briefed the OIF Secretary-General on Laos’ overall progress, including the achievements of the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2021-2025) and goals set under the plan for 2026-2030.
The government remains committed to graduating from Least Developed Country status by the end of 2026, he said.
Ms Mushikiwabo thanked the government for the warm welcome and spoke highly of the strong partnership between the OIF and Laos, reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to continuing its support in various fields.
Later the same day, Ms Mushikiwabo also met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane.
He expressed appreciation for the OIF’s assistance in promoting French language teaching, supporting the Institute of Tropical Medicine, and assisting the French-language magazine Le Rénovateur.
The two officials discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between Laos and the International Organisation of La Francophonie.
Ms Mushikiwabo also visited Vientiane Secondary School, where she was welcomed by Deputy Minister of Education and Sports Kingmano Phommahaxay along with the school’s administrators, teachers and students.
The school’s Director, Thongphan Oulaithone, gave an overview of the prestigious school’s history and activities, including the Lao-French bilingual programme launched in 1998. The programme offers French language instruction and teaches subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology in French.
The school received the LabelFrancÉducation certificate in 2015, 2019 and 2023 in recognition of its achievements in promoting French language education.
Ms Mushikiwabo praised the school’s achievements and the bilingual programme, noting its role in promoting French language learning among Lao students, and pledged continued support for the programme.
Laos joined the OIF as a full member in 1991 and has since actively participated in the organisation’s activities in areas including education, health, culture, media, and development.
The organisation currently comprises 90 member states and governments and is headquartered in Paris.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update March 10, 2026 )