Secretary General of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, Mr Thongloun Sisoulith, and Party leaders on Monday place a wreath at the Unknown Soldiers’ Monument and a basket of flowers at the Kaysone Phomvihane Museum ahead of the 12th National Party Congress taking place from January 6-8. --Photo Vientiane Times

The government, represented by Minister of Finance Mr Santiphab Phomvihane (fifth left) and his associates, on Monday receives 310 million kip from executives at the Banque pour le Commerce Extérieur Lao (BCEL) to support the 12th National Party Congress. --Photo Pathetlao

The Party Secretary of Xaysomboun province, Mr Phoykham Houngbounyuang (fourth right), and his officials on Monday present 200 million kip to Minister of Finance Mr Santiphab Phomvihane (fifth left) and his officials to help cover the cost of the 12th National Party Congress.  --Photo Pathetlao

A group of 27 members of Xayabouly province’s Party Committee on Sunday gather at the provincial Administration Office before travelling to Vientiane to attend the 12th National Party Congress.  --Photo Lao Security News

Officials from the Xekong provincial Culture and Tourism Department, Lamam district authorities, local residents and monks last week gather for a festival to pay homage to the city pillar and the Ongkeo monument in the provincial capital. The festival took place from January 1-3, acknowledging the city pillar as the spiritual heart of Xekong province. --Photo Pasaxon

Government officials and development partners meet in Vientiane to discuss the expansion of solar-based irrigation to increase crop yields. The workshop, co-hosted by the Department of Irrigation and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), focused on the “farmer-led irrigation” component of the ASEAN-CGIAR Innovate for Food and Nutrition Security Regional Programme. Participants evaluated the scalability of solar technologies in Laos, led by IWMI Principal Researcher in Innovation Scaling, Dr Thai Minh, and IWMI Senior Researcher in Hydrogeology, Dr Paul Pavelic. Talks covered Department of Irrigation project proposals and private sector investment, including early experiences from Attapeu province presented by a regional hydrogeology researcher.