Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and President of the National Assembly Dr Xaysomphone Phomvihane chair the first meeting of 2026 between the government and the National Assembly on Thursday.   --Photo Prime Minister’s Office

Govt, NA mull priorities in poverty reduction, clean energy and mineral development

The government and the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on Thursday discussed policies concerning poverty reduction, clean energy, and natural resource development ahead of the upcoming 1st Extraordinary Session of the 10th National Assembly.
According to a news release from the Prime Minister’s Office, the meeting discussed a draft National Agenda on rural development and poverty reduction, measures to promote the use of electric vehicles and renewable energy, and policy directions for mineral resource development.
The meeting was the first this year to be held between the 10th government of Laos and the 10th National Assembly. It took place at the Prime Minister’s Office and was co-chaired by Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and President of the National Assembly, Dr Xaysomphone Phomvihane.
Also present were deputy prime ministers, vice presidents of the National Assembly, government members, members of the National Assembly Standing Committee, chairpersons and deputy chairpersons of National Assembly committees, and representatives of relevant ministries and sectors.
The meeting aimed to build consensus on key policy and legislative matters before their submission to the upcoming 1st Extraordinary Session of the National Assembly.
Participants also reviewed progress under the National Socio-Economic Development Plan, State Budget Plan and Monetary Plan during the first six months of 2026, while discussing priorities for the remainder of the year.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the meeting aimed to strengthen cooperation between the executive and legislative branches in addressing challenges in state administration and socio-economic management through improved laws, policies, and implementation mechanisms.
Prime Minister Sonexay called on ministers and representatives of relevant sectors to present concise and fact-based reports that clearly identify issues requiring consultation.
He urged participants to focus their discussions on the root causes of ongoing challenges, provide practical recommendations and propose effective solutions that could be incorporated into government policies and reports to be submitted to the National Assembly.
The Prime Minister stressed the need to improve policy proposals and reports so that decisions taken at the national level can be implemented more effectively and deliver tangible results.
The outcomes of the meeting should contribute to the maintenance of political stability, foster social harmony, sustain economic growth, and improve the living standards of the multi-ethnic Lao people, he said.
The discussions reflected the close coordination between the government and the National Assembly in advancing national development priorities and ensuring that policy decisions respond effectively to the country’s evolving development needs.
The meeting also demonstrated the shared responsibility of both institutions in implementing the Party’s policies and ensuring that national decisions deliver maximum benefits to the nation and all its citizens.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update July 3, 2026)