(KPL) As part of a well-established tradition in France, the French Ambassador hosted a New Year's Greetings reception at the French Residence in Vientiane to offer her best wishes of happiness, prosperity, peace and health to Laotian authorities, French residents in Laos, and cooperation partners.

On this occasion, Vientiane's French chefs prepared "Three Kings' cakes", a traditional dessert celebrating moments of sharing and friendship.

The year 2024 was rich in projects and events for the bilateral relationship. President Thongloun Sisoulith had fruitful exchanges in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron, and several important projects were subsequently launched in the sector of sustainable energy, agriculture and health, including the Green CUP project, co-funded by France and the EU to promote sustainable tea and coffee sectors, and a project to fight HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, from the French Global Fund mechanism "Initiative" in cooperation with the ministry of Health.

Economic relations also took a major turn with the relaunch of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Laos, with the aim to increase French investment and trade exchanges in view to contribute to Laos' lasting development.

Looking ahead to 2025, the embassy will aim to consolidate past achievements and to follow the roadmap set out by both nations leaders on issues of common interest.

Special focus will thus be placed on strengthening joint cooperation in renewable energies, water management, sustainable agriculture and Francophonie.

Human, cultural, educational, scientific exchanges, particularly between young people, will also serve as an important guideline for the action of the French Embassy.

In 2025, France will host three major international events: the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit on 6-11 February, the Nutrition for Growth Summit on 27-28 March, and the 3d United Nations Oceans Conference on 9-13 June.

KPL