(KPL) On October 11, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a Walk for Health activity at Patuxay to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Lao Diplomacy (October 12, 1945 – October 12, 2025).

The event was graced by the presence of Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, along with Deputy Prime Ministers, Vice Presidents of the National Assembly, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, ambassadors, and representatives of mass organizations residing in the Lao PDR. Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other ministries, and various organizations also participated.

During the ceremony, Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane highlighted the historical significance of Lao diplomacy, noting its deep connection with the national liberation revolution. He emphasized that the commemoration serves as a tribute to the heroic Lao people whose tireless efforts and sacrifices for independence and peace enabled the nation to proclaim its sovereignty and establish its foreign policy on the international stage.

Minister Thongsavanh also underscored the remarkable progress and achievements of the foreign affairs sector over the past eight decades, both in bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Key accomplishments include expanding diplomatic relations and elevating strategic partnerships with numerous countries, as well as Laos’s active and responsible participation in the United Nations, ASEAN, and other regional and sub-regional frameworks.

He reaffirmed that the Lao PDR continues to uphold its consistent foreign policy of “Peace, Independence, Friendship, and Cooperation,” guided by the principle of increasing friends and reducing enemies. This policy aims to foster an environment conducive to peace, security, and development, both domestically and internationally.

Looking ahead, the foreign affairs sector will further strengthen political and economic diplomacy, focusing on broadening cooperation in trade and investment. The strategy seeks to leverage Laos’s geographic advantages to transform the landlocked nation into a center of connectivity within the sub-region. Additionally, it will continue promoting people-to-people diplomacy grounded in mutual respect for independence and sovereignty, mutual benefit, and the facilitation of travel and exchanges. These efforts aim to promote tourism integration with the region and the world, contributing to stable and sustainable economic growth, the graduation of Laos from Least Developed Country status, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

In addition to the Walk for Health, the celebration also featured a Q&A trivia session on the history of Lao diplomacy for the participants.

KPL