(KPL) The Government’s Regular Meeting for August 2025 was held from August 25 to 26 at the Prime Minister’s Office, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. The meeting was attended in person by Deputy Prime Ministers, cabinet members, and representatives of ministries and agencies, while provincial and Vientiane Capital leaders joined via teleconference to listen and provide comments on the August performance report and work plan directions for September 2025.

The meeting jointly studied, consulted, and considered key topics, including:

Agenda Item 1: Review of August performance and work plan for September 2025. Reports were presented on international and regional developments, foreign affairs priorities, preparations for the 2025–2026 school year, outcomes of the 2025 Annual Education, Science and Sports Administration Conference, changes to university administrator titles and the Ministry of Education and Sports logo, teacher quota issues, and preparations for the XII National Games or Vientiane Games and IV National Paralympic Games.

The government assessed that despite unpredictable international and regional conditions, along with domestic challenges caused by natural disasters, priority measures were successfully implemented. Key outcomes included:

Continued firm political stability and social order nationwide.

Gradual reduction of inflation to 5%; foreign currency reserves covering 4.94 months of imports; debt repayment as planned; and budget revenue collection reaching nearly 47 trillion kip (69% of the plan).

Rice cultivation covering over 740,000 hectares (97% of the plan), rainy season food crops over 107,000 hectares (70%), livestock and fisheries production nearly 386,000 tons (67%), commercial crop cultivation over 478,000 hectares (68%), and commercial crop exports of nearly 325,000 tons valued at over USD 88 million.

Expansion of livestock farming with animal and animal product exports valued at USD 1.16 million.

Progress in infrastructure construction and repair of roads, bridges, and irrigation systems damaged by natural disasters, along with other priority projects.

Growth in tourism with over 2.35 million foreign tourist arrivals (12% increase year-on-year) and 2.46 million domestic tourists (46% increase).

Ongoing measures to address teacher shortages and provide subsidies for volunteer teachers.

Active foreign affairs engagement, including high-level visits to Russia and successful hosting of state and official visits by friendly countries and international organizations.

For September 2025, the meeting directed ministries, sectors, and localities to prioritize: National defense and security work, political foundation building and rural development through the “Three Builds” initiative.

Addressing people’s difficulties and social issues. monitoring border entry and exit and resolving border-related matters, preparing for major Party and government meetings at central and provincial levels.

Improving draft decrees on ministry and agency organization and operations, implementing six key measures to address economic and financial difficulties in the second half of 2025.

Preparing disaster response plans, including for Typhoon Kajiki, advancing priority road construction and repairing disaster-damaged roads.

Ensuring readiness for the new school year and resolving teacher shortages, managing returning migrant workers and promoting vocational training, following up on high-level Party and State visits abroad.

Agenda Item 2: Draft legal documents. The government reviewed and approved in principle six draft legal documents, covering master plans, anti-money laundering regulations, counter-terrorism financing measures, health impact assessments, and railway-related penalties. Ministries were instructed to revise the drafts to ensure clarity, completeness, and practical implementation.

On the draft tourism fund decree, the meeting assigned the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism to work with relevant ministries and tourism operators to organize a scientific seminar, collect further comments from government members, and then submit the draft for approval through proper procedures.

KPL