Party Secretary General and President Thongloun Sisoulith chairs a meeting to review preparations for the Party’s 12th National Congress next month.

12th National Party Congress slated for Jan 6–8

The Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) will hold its 12th National Congress from January 6-8, electing a new Party leadership for the next five-year term and outlining directions guiding the nation’s development from 2026-2030.  
The dates were finalised at a meeting on Friday, when Party Secretary General and President Thongloun Sisoulith chaired the gathering to review preparations for the landmark event.
Party leaders assessed the overall readiness for the Congress, ensuring that all documents, reports, and organisational arrangements are complete. 
Taking place every five years, the National Party Congress is attended by delegates who have been selected from and by provincial and ministerial-level Party Congresses. Attendees will elect members of the new Party Central Committee. 
Once elected, the new central committee will immediately hold a preliminary session to elect the Party Secretary General, Politburo members, and other key Party bodies.
The 12th National Party Congress is also expected to review work performance under the Party’s guidance over the past five years, and adopt a resolution that outlines the direction of the nation’s development over the next five years. 
The 2026-2030 development direction is considered to be of critical importance as it will guide Laos’ transition from least developed country (LDC) status to a higher level of development. The Lao leadership has announced its firm intention to ensure Laos graduates from LDC status in 2026.

The National Party Congress paves the way for other key political events - the National Election in which Lao citizens vote for members of the National Assembly (NA), and the Preliminary Session of the NA that elects state leaders.
The National Election Committee has designated February 22, 2026, as the date for the election of members to the 10th Legislature of the National Assembly and the 5th Provincial People’s Councils.
The inaugural session of the NA will elect the President and Vice President of the National Assembly, the State President and Vice Presidents, the Prime Minister, the Supreme Prosecutor, and the President of the People’s Supreme Court, as well as endorsing the new government cabinet.
The National Assembly will also approve the five-year National Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2026-2030.
As the 12th National Party Congress is a major political event, Friday’s meeting stressed the importance of thorough preparation to ensure the success of the Congress.
Attended by all members of the Party Central Committee, the meeting reviewed reports on preparations for the Congress, discussed the key documents, and agreed on ways to ensure the event is well organised and the objectives are achieved.
The Congress aims to reinforce the Party’s leadership, continue its revolutionary mission, and advance the people’s democratic regime on the path to socialism.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update December 27, 2025)