The Party Secretary General and President Thongloun Sisoulith addresses the closing ceremony of the 12th National Congress of the Lao Front for National Development on Wednesday.

President advises Lao Front to reinforce grassroots engagement

The Party Secretary General and President Thongloun Sisoulith has called on the Lao Front for National Development (LFND) to transform mass mobilisation, saying it must “avoid becoming bureaucratic” and work closely with local communities.
Addressing the closing ceremony of the Lao Front’s 12th National Congress on Wednesday, the Party Secretary General and President Thongloun called for a fundamental shift in how the organisation engages with the public.
“The Lao Front for National Development must decisively transform how it mobilises the masses… avoiding becoming bureaucratic and administrative,” he said.
“It must shift its activities down to the grassroots, deep among the masses, and carry out real work in close proximity to the people,” he added.
He advised the Lao Front to employ more flexible and diverse approaches suited to different groups, while maintaining close ties with communities at the village, cluster and district levels.
President Thongloun also underlined the Front’s role in maintaining harmony within communities, urging it to act as a trusted mediator in disputes.
“The Lao Front for National Development in each locality must serve as a mediator for conflicts arising within communities, guided by compassion, fairness and dignity,” he said.
He reaffirmed that unity remains central to the Front’s mission, calling for stronger efforts to consolidate the national solidarity bloc and encourage self-reliance among the multiethnic Lao people.
“We must heighten the responsibility of the Lao people for the nation’s future so that no influence can undermine or destroy it,” he said. “We must also resist attempts to misuse human rights and democracy issues to create division and weaken unity among our people.”
The President also highlighted the need to strengthen people-centred governance by expanding public participation and oversight. “Mechanisms must be established on the basis that the people are informed, the people deliberate, the people participate, the people oversee, and the people receive the benefits,” he said.
He advised the Front and related organisations to play a stronger role in monitoring the work of state bodies, reflecting public feedback, and tackling problems such as drug abuse, corruption, and abuse of authority.
On economic development, President Thongloun called for practical action to build a self-reliant economy and improve people’s livelihoods, especially in rural areas.
“Lead and drive the building of an independent, self-reliant economy with strength… transforming from a consumer society into a productive society,” he said.
He encouraged the expansion of cooperative models, village development funds and community-based production to help people increase their incomes and rise above poverty.
The Front was also instructed to support national rural development programmes, promote new ways of living, and help households make better use of their potential.
In addition, President Thongloun called for stronger international engagement through people-to-people exchanges, while encouraging Lao citizens living abroad to contribute to the development of Laos. The 12th National Congress of the Lao Front for National Development (LFND) closed on Wednesday after participants reviewed achievements over the past five years, set priorities for 2026-2030, and elected a new leadership team.
The Congress elected a 250-member Central Committee to guide its 12th term, including 55 women and 20 Buddhist monks.
The meeting endorsed the President of the Lao Front for National Development, Prof. Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune, along with several vice presidents. Speaking on behalf of the new committee, Prof. Dr Kikeo pledged to continue strengthening the great unity of the multiethnic Lao people under the leadership of the Party, while promoting patriotism, self-reliance and determination to overcome challenges.
Prof. Dr Kikeo called on Front members at all levels, both inside and outside the country, to uphold their responsibilities and maintain unity in carrying out their duties. He also urged people of all ethnic groups, religions, professions and age groups, including academics and businesspeople, to contribute actively to national development.
The Lao Front for National Development was founded in 1979 and is led by the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party to mobilise mass organisations, strengthen national unity, and oversee religious affairs.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest UpdateApril 30, 2026)