(KPL) The Lao People’s Revolutionary Party led the Lao people in conducting the national revolution and fighting for national liberation.

By employing three strategic thrusts—the uprising of the masses, the advancement of revolutionary armed forces, and the defection of royalist soldiers to join the revolutionary forces—the Party was able to overthrow the feudal monarchy and the colonial regime.

This led to the establishment of a genuine people's government and the proclamation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on December 2, 1975, in a glorious and resounding victory.

Comrade Bounthong Chitmany Reflects on the Party’s Achievements

Comrade Bounthong Chitmany, Politburo Member, Standing Member of the Party Central Committee (PCC) Secretariat, and Vice State President, recently gave an interview to the media. He stated: "Since 1975, our Party has been the ruling party and established a new government. The Party has focused on leading efforts to address and rebuild the economy and society, prioritizing the resolution of damages caused by war and the remnants of the old regime. The Party has also established the constitution of the people's democratic regime, which serves as the fundamental law of the nation to protect the rights and interests of the country and the multi-ethnic Lao people. These efforts have gradually improved the living conditions of the people, bringing them closer to normalcy."

Additionally, the Party has emphasized expanding education, eradicating illiteracy, preserving and promoting the nation's fine cultural heritage, and achieving successes, one after another. The Party continued to lead the implementation of the First Five-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan (1981-1985) and subsequent plans, achieving significant progress in various areas.

Notably, the transportation system has expanded across both urban and rural areas. Education, public health, clean water, electricity, and communication networks have also developed in cities and rural regions, contributing to the creation of favorable conditions for the nation's continued progress.

Advancing Along the Socialist Path

The Party leads the cause of renovation, strengthening the people's democratic system and advancing firmly along the socialist path.

This is the unwavering aspiration of the Party and the bold, determined ambition of the multi-ethnic Lao people.

At the 4th Party Congress in 1986, the Party defined a principle-based renovation policy. This began with a transformation in mindset and the economy, particularly through economic policy reforms.

The Party recognized and implemented a multi-sector economy, a market-oriented economy, and expanded international cooperation based on mutual benefits.

It shifted from a natural and semi-natural economy, characterized by self-sufficiency and traditional practices, toward a commodity-based economy.

From the 5th Party Congress to the 11th Party Congress, the Party continued to lead and implement the renovation policy by reviewing, evaluating, and drawing lessons from practical experiences in previous years. This systematic and continuous process has gradually enriched and supplemented the renovation policy, making it more comprehensive and aligned with the Party's principles.

Safeguarding National Independence and Achieving Economic Growth

The Party is leading the entire society in implementing two strategic tasks: safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity with firm stability, and improving the living standards of the people. The country enjoys peace and order, and the Party's development efforts have grown steadily, with its fighting strength expanding continuously.

The economic development of the Lao PDR has achieved continuous growth, with the annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increasing from 4.8% in the 1986-1990 period to 6.4% in 1991-1995, 6.2% in 2005, 7.9% in 2010, 7.8% in 2015, to 5.8% in 2020 and 4.5% in 2024. 

The economic structure has undergone significant transformation, leading to improvements in living standards and people's incomes. GDP per capita has risen from $114 in 1985, to $380 in 1995, $1,970 in 2015, $2,664 in 2020 and $1,896 in 2024 (due to the depreciation of the Lao kip).

Looking to the Future

Comrade Bounthong Chitmany said, "In the future, our Party will bear an even greater responsibility in leading the revolutionary cause. We must continue to uphold the true essence and revolutionary traditions of our Party, as well as the achievements of its 70-year history. This includes strengthening unity and solidarity within the Party, the armed forces, and among the people; ensuring the Party serves the people and the nation wholeheartedly, with no interests other than the happiness of the Lao people and the prosperity of the nation; preventing divisive ideologies and actions that could split the Party; building and strengthening our Party to make it transparent, resilient, and strong, while addressing issues such as individualism and corruption; cultivating and expanding the ranks of capable, morally strong individuals who are loyal to the Party and the people, possess knowledge and skills, and can fulfill their duties to join the Party; continuing to address economic, financial, and monetary difficulties, ensuring the macroeconomy remains strong and that production and business activities across all economic sectors continue to grow and strengthen; and leading the improvement and development of culture, society, human resources, and science and technology to serve as driving forces for national development under new conditions, as well as enhancing independence, self-reliance, and the integration of modern strengths to further advance and expand the renovation policy initiated by President Kaysone Phomvihane, the founding generation, and subsequent generations over the past 40 years; and continuing to shoulder the responsibility of leading the revolutionary cause to achieve the goals and aspirations of the Party, firmly advancing toward socialism.”

KPL