President Thongloun Sisoulith will attend the Future of Asia Conference in Tokyo, Japan which is being held under the slogan, “Leveraging Asia’s Power to Confront Global Challenges” from 25-26 May.
The event will also be attended by other regional dignitaries, such as Lawrence Wong, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, Tran Luu Quang, Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of Sri Lanka, Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand and Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan.
The conference will discuss a range of topics from the importance of recognizing diversity in Asia, drifting global order and how that affects Asia and the role of innovation in promoting women’s participation and leadership in society.
Future of Asia is an international gathering where political, economic, and academic leaders from the Asia-Pacific region offer their opinions frankly and freely on regional issues and the role of Asia in the world.
Held by Nikkei every year since 1995, it is considered to be one of the most important global conferences in Asia.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Feature-Pics-19.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2023-05-26 09:00:002023-05-23 10:42:59President of Laos to Attend “Future of Asia” Conference in Japan
Preparations are underway as Lao tourism authorities gear up to host the annual ASEAN Tourism Forum next year, which will take place in Vientiane Capital from 22-27 January.
According to Ms. Suanesavanh Vignaket, Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, the annual ASEAN Tourism Forum’s theme will be “Quality and Responsible Tourism-Sustaining Asean Future”, and it will feature a tourism exhibition where businesses and vendors will display and sell tourism-related products.
Ms. Suanesavanh said that the forum will provide an opportunity for Lao tourism operators to have direct access to their target markets, buy and sell tourism products, and network with fellow business owners.
She also noted that, during the event, the organizers will present the ASEAN Tourism Awards for 2023, which will encourage tourism and enable associated businesses to develop and improve their services.
The government and associated travel operators are currently making preparations to ready the opening and closing locations of the forum, the site of the tourism exhibition, and invitations to ASEAN member countries, international organizations, and other attendees. The forum is expected to bring more international tourists to Laos.
Laos previously hosted the ASEAN Tourism Forum in 2004 and 2013, which successfully publicized the country’s many tourist attractions. This year’s forum is a golden opportunity for Laos to showcase its tourism industry and reach a large global audience.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Ms-Suanesavanh-Vignaket.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2023-05-25 08:30:002023-05-18 09:44:28Laos Gears Up to Host ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024
Australia’s Foreign Minister, Penny Wong traveled to Vientiane, Laos this week. The visit from 15-16 May, followed the successful visit to Australia by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos, Saleumxay Kommasith in October last year.
The visit built on Australia’s deep and enduring friendship with Laos of over 70 years and provided an opportunity for Minister Wong to listen to and understand Laos’ national priorities for trade and investment, development cooperation, and regional connectivity. Minister Wong’s time in Laos reflects the commitment made between our Prime Ministers last November when they announced an intention to elevate the Laos-Australia relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership.
Minister Wong held productive discussions with Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith, and Head of the External Relations Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Thongsavanh Phomvihane.
Discussions acknowledged the considerable changes underway in the region and navigating these changes together, including through ASEAN. Australia and Laos shared views on priorities for cooperation in education, growing human resource capacity, the energy sector, water resource management, and people-to-people links.
The visit confirmed Australia’s commitment to deepening its economic engagement with the region, including through the development of a Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, to be released later this year.
Australia and Laos will lift cooperation in the energy sector. Minister Wong and Laos’ Minister of Energy and Mines, Mr. Phosay Sayasone, signed the Laos-Australia Sustainable Energy Partnership which will work to support a more sustainable, reliable, and profitable energy sector in Laos.
To advance shared priorities for the environment and sustainability, Australia will partner with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Global Green Growth Institute to establish a national framework for participation in international carbon markets.
The friendship between the two countries is grounded in mutual respect and trust, forged through many years of close relations and longstanding people-to-people links. Minister Wong and Mr. Thongsavanh signed a Declaration of Shared Intent to establish a Laos-Australia Friendship Association to enhance dialogue, understanding, and people-to-people connections between Australia and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party.
Australia and Laos will work together on shared goals with our regional partners, for example, through trilateral cooperation with Vietnam. Australia is pleased to be working with Laos and Vietnam on initiatives to share experiences in attracting high-quality foreign direct investment.
The Minister met emerging Lao business leaders from Australia’s university alumni network to discuss ways to build Laos’ future together. Australia’s alumni make an enormous contribution to Laos, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith. We are proud of this shared history and pleased we can continue to strengthen these people-to-people connections.
Australia’s support for Laos’ education sector was on display during the visit to Na Haidiew Primary School in Vientiane. Minister Wong met with Laos’ Vice Minister of Education and Sports, Dr. Sisouk Vongvichit and the school community. Australia’s support for the implementation of the new National Curriculum nationwide will help raise the education levels of Laos’ future workforce.
The Minister was pleased to announce further support for the COVID-19 vaccine and routine immunization, including at the sub-national level through a partnership with the Ministry of Health and World Health Organization, building on the USD 25.2 million provided to date.
Minister Wong reiterated Australia’s commitment to supporting Laos to deliver a successful ASEAN Chair in 2024. Laos has an important role to play in Southeast Asia’s future and Australia is committed to working together to build a safe, stable, and prosperous region where ASEAN and ASEAN-led institutions hold the canter.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Penny-Wong-walks.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2023-05-24 09:00:002023-05-18 09:38:09Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Visits Laos to Foster Friendship and Cooperation
President of Laos to Attend “Future of Asia” Conference in Japan
President Thongloun Sisoulith will attend the Future of Asia Conference in Tokyo, Japan which is being held under the slogan, “Leveraging Asia’s Power to Confront Global Challenges” from 25-26 May.
The event will also be attended by other regional dignitaries, such as Lawrence Wong, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, Tran Luu Quang, Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of Sri Lanka, Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand and Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan.
The conference will discuss a range of topics from the importance of recognizing diversity in Asia, drifting global order and how that affects Asia and the role of innovation in promoting women’s participation and leadership in society.
Future of Asia is an international gathering where political, economic, and academic leaders from the Asia-Pacific region offer their opinions frankly and freely on regional issues and the role of Asia in the world.
Held by Nikkei every year since 1995, it is considered to be one of the most important global conferences in Asia.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/05/22/president-of-laos-to-attend-future-of-asia-conference-in-japan/
Laos Gears Up to Host ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024
Preparations are underway as Lao tourism authorities gear up to host the annual ASEAN Tourism Forum next year, which will take place in Vientiane Capital from 22-27 January.
According to Ms. Suanesavanh Vignaket, Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, the annual ASEAN Tourism Forum’s theme will be “Quality and Responsible Tourism-Sustaining Asean Future”, and it will feature a tourism exhibition where businesses and vendors will display and sell tourism-related products.
Ms. Suanesavanh said that the forum will provide an opportunity for Lao tourism operators to have direct access to their target markets, buy and sell tourism products, and network with fellow business owners.
She also noted that, during the event, the organizers will present the ASEAN Tourism Awards for 2023, which will encourage tourism and enable associated businesses to develop and improve their services.
The government and associated travel operators are currently making preparations to ready the opening and closing locations of the forum, the site of the tourism exhibition, and invitations to ASEAN member countries, international organizations, and other attendees. The forum is expected to bring more international tourists to Laos.
Laos previously hosted the ASEAN Tourism Forum in 2004 and 2013, which successfully publicized the country’s many tourist attractions. This year’s forum is a golden opportunity for Laos to showcase its tourism industry and reach a large global audience.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/05/16/laos-gears-up-to-host-asean-tourism-forum-2024/
Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Visits Laos to Foster Friendship and Cooperation
Australia’s Foreign Minister, Penny Wong traveled to Vientiane, Laos this week. The visit from 15-16 May, followed the successful visit to Australia by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos, Saleumxay Kommasith in October last year.
The visit built on Australia’s deep and enduring friendship with Laos of over 70 years and provided an opportunity for Minister Wong to listen to and understand Laos’ national priorities for trade and investment, development cooperation, and regional connectivity. Minister Wong’s time in Laos reflects the commitment made between our Prime Ministers last November when they announced an intention to elevate the Laos-Australia relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership.
Minister Wong held productive discussions with Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith, and Head of the External Relations Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Thongsavanh Phomvihane.
Discussions acknowledged the considerable changes underway in the region and navigating these changes together, including through ASEAN. Australia and Laos shared views on priorities for cooperation in education, growing human resource capacity, the energy sector, water resource management, and people-to-people links.
The visit confirmed Australia’s commitment to deepening its economic engagement with the region, including through the development of a Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, to be released later this year.
Australia and Laos will lift cooperation in the energy sector. Minister Wong and Laos’ Minister of Energy and Mines, Mr. Phosay Sayasone, signed the Laos-Australia Sustainable Energy Partnership which will work to support a more sustainable, reliable, and profitable energy sector in Laos.
To advance shared priorities for the environment and sustainability, Australia will partner with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Global Green Growth Institute to establish a national framework for participation in international carbon markets.
The friendship between the two countries is grounded in mutual respect and trust, forged through many years of close relations and longstanding people-to-people links. Minister Wong and Mr. Thongsavanh signed a Declaration of Shared Intent to establish a Laos-Australia Friendship Association to enhance dialogue, understanding, and people-to-people connections between Australia and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party.
Australia and Laos will work together on shared goals with our regional partners, for example, through trilateral cooperation with Vietnam. Australia is pleased to be working with Laos and Vietnam on initiatives to share experiences in attracting high-quality foreign direct investment.
The Minister met emerging Lao business leaders from Australia’s university alumni network to discuss ways to build Laos’ future together. Australia’s alumni make an enormous contribution to Laos, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith. We are proud of this shared history and pleased we can continue to strengthen these people-to-people connections.
Australia’s support for Laos’ education sector was on display during the visit to Na Haidiew Primary School in Vientiane. Minister Wong met with Laos’ Vice Minister of Education and Sports, Dr. Sisouk Vongvichit and the school community. Australia’s support for the implementation of the new National Curriculum nationwide will help raise the education levels of Laos’ future workforce.
The Minister was pleased to announce further support for the COVID-19 vaccine and routine immunization, including at the sub-national level through a partnership with the Ministry of Health and World Health Organization, building on the USD 25.2 million provided to date.
Minister Wong reiterated Australia’s commitment to supporting Laos to deliver a successful ASEAN Chair in 2024. Laos has an important role to play in Southeast Asia’s future and Australia is committed to working together to build a safe, stable, and prosperous region where ASEAN and ASEAN-led institutions hold the canter.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/05/16/australian-foreign-affairs-minister-visits-laos-to-foster-friendship-and-cooperation/