Secretary General Thongloun Sisoulith delivered a speech at the opening of the 12th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party in Vientiane on January 6, 2026.

He praised its leadership during postwar recovery and commended the principle-based renovation policy initiated by President Kaysone Phomvihane.

Guided by socialist principles and tailored to national conditions, the policy has served as a “new guiding torch.”

For four decades, it is credited with steering the country through significant challenges, strengthening the people’s democratic system, and ensuring continuous development.

The Secretary General affirmed that this reform direction remains the unwavering path forward.

The 12th National Congress opened this morning in Vientiane to review achievements in implementing the resolutions of the 11th Party Congress under the Party Central Committee’s leadership over the past five years (2021–2025).

Scheduled from January 6 to 8, the Congress will evaluate a draft political report and a draft report on the implementation of the 9th socio-economic development plan.

Participants will also outline a development roadmap and elect a new Party leadership to guide the nation’s tasks in the next five years (2026–2030).

Described as an event of major political and historical significance, the Congress is being held under the theme: “Enhancing the Party’s Strong Leadership, Proactively Building an Independent and Self-Reliant Economy, Continuing to Consolidate the People’s Democratic Regime, and Advancing towards Socialism.”

KPL