President Thongloun Sisoulith (right) recently presents the credential to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongphan Savanphet, appionting him as Lao ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations in New York, the United States.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs gather at a ceremony on Thursday for a final photograph following the dissolution of the ministry, which is part of the broader organisational restructuring policy that merges many ministries. Former Minister of Home Affairs Vilayvong Buddakham has been reassigned to take a post at the Organisation and Personnel Committee of the Party Central Committee.

Former Head of the Office of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee, Professor Dr Thongsalith Mangnomek (left) officially assumes the post of Minister of Education and Sports on June 19, replacing Associate Professor Dr Phout Simmalavong, who has retired. The handover recemony, part of a recent cabinet reshuffle, takes place at the ministry in the presence of Vice President Bounthong Chitmany. --Photo Lao News Agency

President of the State Inspection Authority, Mr Khamphanh Phommathat (centre, seated), joins senior officials for a group photo during the official ceremony marking the merger of the Ministry of Energy and Mines with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Mr Malaythong Kommasith (seated front row, right) is appointed as Minister of the newly consolidated Ministry of Industry and Commerce.                     --Photo Lao News Agency

Former Minister of Labour and Social Welfares, Mrs Baykham Khattiya officially assumes office as the Minister of Health, succeeding Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, who has retired.