Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, President of the Lao Red Cross Mr Khamlavanh Chanthalavanh and representatives from provinces attend the annual Lao Red Cross meeting in Vientiane last week to review operations carried out in 2025 and set the plan of work for 2026.                                                                                            --Photo Tadam

Minister of Agriculture and Environment Dr Linkham Duangsavanh and his officials on Friday monitor the construction of the Huayvangha reservoir, which will expand the water supply for people in Phonthong district, Champasak province. The site visit followed a national meeting to review the work carried out by the ministry in 2025 and outline plans for 2026.                                                                               --Photo Pasaxon

President of the Lao Bar Association, Mr Viengsavanh Phanthaly, and Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Lao PDR, Ms Martine Therer, exchange commemorative items during the handover of training room equipment and professional guidebooks valued at more than US$1.2 million at the Lao Bar Association in Vientiane on February 26. The supplies were provided under the Lawyer Project (2022-2025), funded by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Vientiane, to strengthen continuous professional development, improve legal aid systems, and support implementation of the Bar Association’s 2025-2030 strategic development plan.

Director General of the Department of Higher Education at the Ministry of Education and Sports, Dr Khamkeo Hansana; Chargée d’Affaires ad interim at the US Embassy to Laos, Ms Michelle Outlaw; Deputy Director of the National University of Laos and President of the Conference Organising Committee, Mr Thongsouk Keomany; English language teachers from the National University of Laos and the provinces, international experts, and Lao scholars last week gather for the 20th Lao TESOL conference, which took the theme “Empowering Teachers and Engaging Students”. The twoday TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) conference took place at Souphanouvong University in Luang Prabang province.