Thursday, March 24, 2011

Ninth Congress announces new Party leaders, adopts resolution

The Ninth Party Congress ended yesterday with the announcement of members of the Politburo, Secretariat, and Inspection Committee, and adoption of the resolution marking its successful outcome.

Mr Choummaly Sayasone was re-elected as Secretary General of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party for a second term .

The number of Politburo members remained at 11, of whom one is a woman, but the number of the new Party Central Committee increased to 61, of whom five are women.

Mr Sisavat Keobounphanh and Mr Saman Vinhaket, who were elected as Politburo members at the Eighth Party Congress, retired, opening up an opportunity for other Party Central Committee members to be promoted to a Politburo post.

Mass celebration marks Party's founding anniversary, success of 9th Congress

More than 1,000 people gathered at the National Culture Hall in Vientiane yesterday to mark the 56th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and celebrate the achievements of the Ninth Party Congress.

Party Secretary General Choummaly Sayasone attends a gathering at the National Culture Hall in Vientiane to mark the founding of the Party and achievements of the Ninth Party Congress.
New Party leaders elected during the Ninth Party Congress, which closed on Monday, also attended the gathering, including Secretary General Choummaly Sayasone, Politburo and Party Central Committee members.

Vientiane Mayor Sombat Yialiher highlighted the Party's background since its establishment in leading the Lao people to fight for national liberation, as well as the various development achievements under its leadership.

He said the Party was founded on March 22, 1955, having had origins in the Indochina Communist Party, led by Ho Chi Minh at the time.

The establishment of the LPRP marked the first time that the Lao people had leadership in the revolutionary fight for freedom against foreign aggressors.
“The establishment of the Party was in response to the needs of Lao people, who wanted a party to lead their fight and encourage all Lao people to make sacrifices for their nation,” Mr Sombat said.

“After its establishment, the Party led the Lao people to fight against foreign colonialists for 20 years and won on all battlefields before the achievement of national liberation in 1975.”
Over the past five years, Laos continued to maintain political stability, security and social order, facilitating a fast rate of national development.

In this time, the Lao economy continued to grow by on average 7.9 percent per year and the family poverty rate fell from almost 28 percent in 2002-03 to just over 20 percent in 2009-10.
Other achievements include rice production reaching 2.9 million tonnes per year, 72 percent of households gaining access to electricity and the school enrolment of children aged 6 to 10 years reaching 93 percent.

Mr Sombat said the outstanding achievements have given Lao people reason to place increasing trust in the leadership of the Party in terms of national protection and development.
There are now 14,269 Party units throughout Vientiane and the provinces, with 191,700 Party members. Every year, about 7,641 intellectuals become new Party members.

“Over the past 56 years, our Party has always paid attention to recognising the Marxism-Leninism doctrine and applying it to the development of a political directive to reflect the reality of the country,” Mr Sombat said. Held from March 17-21, the Ninth Party Congress has approved of a resolution stipulating the key goals for the country to achieve in the next five years through a ‘breakthrough step'.

One of the key goals includes economic growth of at least 8 percent per year and annual per capita income of US$1,700.

The goals for 2015 also include rice production of 4.2 million tonnes, tourist arrivals of 2.8 million, family poverty levels of less than 10 percent and 99 percent literacy among people of all ethnic groups aged 15-24 years.

The sixty-one member Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party elected at its 9th Congress, March 17-21, 2011

Mr Choummaly Sayasone
Mr Thongsing Thammavong
Mr Bounnhang Vorachit
Dr Thongloun Sisoulith
Ms Pany Yathortou
Mr Asang Laoly
Lieutenant General Duangchay Phichit
Mr Somsavat Lengsavad
Dr Bounthong Chitmany
Dr Bounpone Bouttanavong
Dr Phankham Viphavanh
Dr Thongbanh Seng-aphone
Mr Chansy Phosikham
Mr Soukanh Mahalath
Major General Sengnouan Xayalath
Mr Cheuang Sombounkhanh
Dr Xaysomphone Phomvihane
Mr Somphanh Phengkhammy
Ms Onechanh Thammavong
Dr Phimmasone Leuangkhamma
Mr Khammanh Sounvileuth
Dr Chaleun Yiapaoher
Mr Soulivong Daravong
Ms Bounpheng Mounphosay
Dr Phandouangchit Vongsa
Mr Khamboun Douangpanya
Major General Chansamone Chanyalath
Dr Khampheuy Panmalaythong
Mr Vilayvanh Phomkhe
Mr Khamsane Souvong
Dr Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune
Dr Khamphanh Phommathat
Prof.Dr Somkot Mangnomek
Mr Sonesay Siphandone
Dr Nam Vinhaket
Mr Tong Yerthor
Ms Sisay Leudetmounsone
Major General Sanyahak Phomvihane
Prof. Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune
Mr Khambay Damlath
Mr Sommad Pholsena
Mr Somdy Douangdy
Mr Phouphet Khamphounvong
Prof.Dr Bosengkham Vongdara
Dr Lien Thikeo
Prof. Dr Eksavang Vongvichit
Mr Khamla Lorlonsy
Mr Xaysi Santivong
Dr Khampheng Saysompheng
Mr Khamhoung Heuangvongsy
Brigadier General Souvone Leuangbounmy
Mr Khammeung Phongthady
Brigadier General Somkeo Silavong
Mr Khamjane Vongphosy
Mr Pan Noymany
Prof. Dr Soukkongseng Saignaleuth
Mr Khamphanh Sitthidampha
Mr Khamla Lingnasone
Mr Khampheuy Bouddavieng
Ms Sounthone Xayachack
Brigadier General Thongloy Silivong
The first plenary session of the Party Central Committee elected an eleven-member Political Bureau, nine-member Secretariat and seven-member Inspection Committee.
Political Bureau
Secretariat
Inspection Committee
1. Mr Choummaly Sayasone
2. Mr Thongsing Thammavong
3. Mr Bounnhang Vorachit
4. Dr Thongloun Sisoulith
5. Ms Pany Yathortou
6. Mr Asang Laoly
7. Lieutenant General Douangchay Phichit
8. Mr Somsavat Lengsavad
9. Dr Bounthong Chitmany
10. Dr Bounpone Bouttanavong
11. Dr Phankham Viphavanh Mr Choummaly Sayasone is re-elected as Party Secretary General.
1. Mr Choummaly Sayasone
2. Mr Bounnhang Vorachit
3. Dr Bounthong Chitmany
4. Dr Bounpone Bouttanavong
5. Dr Thongbanh Seng-aphone
6. Mr Chansy Phosikham
7. Mr Soukanh Mahalath
8. Major General Sengnouan Xayalath
9. Mr Cheuang Sombounkhanh
Mr Bounnhang Vorachit is re-elected as Secretariat Standing Member
1. Dr Bounthong Chitmany
2. Mr Thongsy Ouanlasy
3. Mr Sinay Mienglavanh
4. Mr Khamsuan Chanthavong
5. Mr Khamsouk Bounyavong
6. Mr Singphet Bounsavatthiphanh
7. Mr Bounpone Sangsomsak Dr Bounthong Chitmany is elected as President of the Inspection Committee.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Party approves new measure to boost development

The Lao People's Revolutionary Party has come up with a new approach to accelerate and sustain national development.

The newly elected Party Central Committee of the 9th Party Congress yesterday approved a resolution giving the green light for the Party to implement the newly proposed ‘four breakthrough steps' to accelerate development of the landlocked country within next five years.
The introduction of the new breakthrough approach is in line with implementation of the Party's renovation policy, which was adopted in 1986, aiming to bring the country into socialism driven by a market oriented economy.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, re-elected Politburo member Mr Somsavat Lengsavad said that the first of the four breakthroughs, which the Party will complete within the next five years, is to relieve the minds of people from old stereotypes, complacency and extremism.

“If we want to develop our nation, we have to rely on specificity of the country. We cannot copy development models from other countries. But it does not mean that we do not want to learn development lessons from other countries,” he said in response to questions from foreign diplomats and journalists.

Mr Somsavat, who is also Standing Deputy Prime Minister, said that the second breakthrough was to develop human resources, which had an important role in socio-economic development in Laos as the country is living under a new era of the intellect based economy.

“Under international integration circumstances, there are both opportunities and challenges, therefore we have to have human resources with knowledge and competence so they can integrate Laos with the international community and ensure fruit from the integration,” he said.
He said that the Party had agreed to prioritise the development of human resources and invest more funds to develop the health sector to ensure that Lao people benefit from knowledge and health, adding that education development and health are two of the millennium development goals which the Party is striving to achieve.

“The Party Congress has backed public investment plans, which the National Assembly has already approved, to invest 30 percent of state funds in the economic sector, 35 percent into social sectors including education, health and cultural affairs, and 35 percent for development of public infrastructure,” he said.

The third breakthrough is to address administrative procedures and management which impede commercial productivity rates and services, he said, adding that the Party Congress has learnt that a number of business and trade barriers remain, hindering investment.
He said the government had already imposed a policy to set up a single window service to facilitate investment, but the move had not worked effectively.

“The third breakthrough is very important and needs to be addressed within five years otherwise we will not be able to boost commercial production,” he said.
He also said that implementation of the third breakthrough step would be made as the country joins other Asean member states to implement the Asean Free Trade Area, as well as continuing to work towards World Trade Organisation membership.

Mr Somsavat said the fourth breakthrough step was to address poverty, adding that the Party congress had given guidance to mobilise funds from all available avenues to address poverty, from both domestic and foreign sources, adding that the Party had agreed to allow the government to offer investment incentives in rural areas.

In terms of household poverty reduction, Mr Somsavat said the Party expected to reduce the proportion of poor families in Laos from 20 percent of the population to 10 percent in 2015.

Ninth Congress announces new Party leaders, adopts resolution

The Ninth Party Congress ended yesterday with the announcement of members of the Politburo, Secretariat, and Inspection Committee, and adoption of the resolution marking its successful outcome.

Retired Politburo member Mr Sisavat Keobounphanh (second right) congratulates Mr Choummaly Sayasone at the closing ceremony of the 9 th Congress yesterday, while former Party leader and President of Laos, Mr Khamtay Siphandone, looks on.
Mr Choummaly Sayasone was re-elected as Secretary General of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party for a second term .

The number of Politburo members remained at 11, of whom one is a woman, but the number of the new Party Central Committee increased to 61, of whom five are women.
Mr Sisavat Keobounphanh and Mr Saman Vinhaket, who were elected as Politburo members at the Eighth Party Congress, retired, opening up an opportunity for other Party Central Committee members to be promoted to a Politburo post.

The three new Politburo members elected at the congress are Dr Bounthong Chitmany, Dr Bounpone Bouttanavong and Dr Phankham Viphavanh.

Other Politburo members include Mr Thongsing Thammavong, Mr Bounnhang Vorachit, Dr Thongloun Sisoulith, Ms Pany Yathortou, Mr Asang Laoly, Lieutenant General Douangchay Phichit and Mr Somsavat Lengsavad.

The Secretariat Committee of the Party Central Committee comprises nine comrades, namely Mr Choummaly Sayasone, Mr Bounnhang Vorachit, Mr Bounthong Chitmany, Mr Bounpone Bouttanavong, Mr Thongbanh Seng-aphone, Chansy Phosikham, Soukanh Mahalath, Major General Sengnuan Xayalath and Cheuang Sombounkhanh.

Mr Bounnhang Vorachit was elected as Standing Member of the Party Secretariat Committee and Mr Bounthong Chitmany was elected as President of the seven member Inspection Committee of the Party Central Committee.

The 61 members of the Party Central Committee were elected from a total of 69 candidates and voted for by the 576 delegates, representing more than 191,700 Party members nationwide, who attended the five-day congress, which officially opened on March 17.

Just over 39 percent of the new executive committee is aged 60 or over, while just over 57 percent are aged between 45 and 59. The oldest committee member is 75 and the youngest is 42. Almost 36 percent of committee members hold a doctorate degree.

The Party delegates also approved the Resolution of the Ninth Party Congress, which stipulates the key goals for the country to achieve in the next five years, before the newly re-elected Mr Choummaly Sayasone delivered his keynote speech to officially close the congress yesterday.
The Ninth Party Congress was conducted in a constructive atmosphere, with all delegates taking on high responsibility and working hard to ensure its success.

The Party was founded on March 22, 1955, and the Party Congress is held every five years to highlight the preceding five years' achievements and to set goals for the next five years.
The first Congress of the Party was held in 1955 at Ban Nameo in Viengxay district, Huaphan province, with only 25 representatives out of 420 Party members nationwide in attendance.
The Eighth Party Congress took place in Vientiane in March, 2006, and saw Mr Choummaly Sayasone elected as Party Secretary General, replacing Party President Khamtay Siphandone.
Mr Somsavat Lengsavad and Mrs Pany Yathortou were first elected as Politburo members at the Eighth Congress, marking the first time that a woman was elected to this position.
The Eighth Congress was attended by 498 delegates representing 148,590 Party members nationwide.

A crowd of people will gather today in Vientiane to recognise the achievements of the Ninth Party Congress, as well as to mark the 56th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party.

9th Party Congress aims to achieve four breakthroughs

(KPL) The Lao PDR will achieved development goal in the next five years once four breakthroughs including the relieving of people�s mind from old stereotype, complacency and extremism, human resource development are fulfilled, according to Politburo member Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad.

The addressing of administrative procedures and management that impede commercial productivity and service and poverty reduction of the Lao ethnic people are prioritized by the Party to achieve development goal in the next five years. He said that the Party aimed to achieve in reducing the number of poor families from 20 per cent of entire families at the moment to 10 per cent in 2015.

Mr. Somsavat told a press conference held in Vientiane on March 21 saying that the breakthrough approach was in accordance with the materialization of the Party�s new mechanism of which the introduction was recorded in 1986.

Mr. Somsavat said that the Party had agreed to prioritize human resource development, claiming the area played an important role in developing the country economically and socially as well as the national integration into international community.

He said that investment environment in the country was hindered by a number of business and trade barriers, meanwhile the government has implemented single window policy but in ineffective manners.

The addressing of administrative procedures and management that impede commercial productivity and service and poverty reduction of the Lao ethnic people are prioritized by the Party to achieve development goal in the next five years. He said that the Party aimed to achieve in reducing the number of poor families from 20 per cent of entire families at the moment to 10 per cent in 2015.

Mr. Somsavat told a press conference held in Vientiane on March 21 saying that the breakthrough approach was in accordance with the materialization of the Party�s new mechanism of which the introduction was recorded in 1986.

Mr. Somsavat said that the Party had agreed to prioritize human resource development, claiming the area played an important role in developing the country economically and socially as well as the national integration into international community.

He said that investment environment in the country was hindered by a number of business and trade barriers, meanwhile the government has implemented single window policy but in ineffective manners.

Resolution of the 9th Congress of the Lao People�s Revolutionary Party

(KPL) The 9th National Congress of the Lao People�s Revolutionary Party ran from March 17-21, 2011 in Vientiane and was attended by 576 delegates representing 191,780 Party members nationwide.

The congress tabled, discussed and adopted important issues of the Party and the nation in an atmosphere of positivity, cohesion and solidarity, and concluded with sound outcomes as follows:
The congress profoundly discussed and unanimously adopted the political report of the 8th Party Central Committee presented to the 9th Congress by Party Secretary General Choummaly Sayasone.

The congress agreed with the assessment of the implementation of the resolution adopted by the 8th Congress, particularly the outstanding achievements made in the national defence and security tasks, socio-economic development, improvements to and restoration of state administration systems, the united front and mass affairs of the Party, foreign affairs, international integration, and Party and personnel building. The achievements made over the past five years have laid a foundation to further boost the growth of our country along the set roadmap and destination.

Delegates contributed frank opinions on the shortcomings of the Party�s leadership, which caused the implementation of focal work in some areas to fail to achieve set targets, particularly the shortcomings in leadership and supervision attributed to the slow translation of guidelines into detailed plans and projects by line agencies and local organisations.

This caused time-consuming delays in implementation, particularly regarding issues of rural development associated with production promotion on a commercial basis to alleviate poverty. Additionally, economic growth is not sustainably strong as it is still based primarily on the mining sector and exports of raw natural resources. Other shortcomings included development in some areas of the social sector failing to meet set targets, and socially negative behaviour trends increasing.


The congress called for acceleration to intensively address the shortcomings in order to bring positive change in implementing the Party�s guidelines.

The congress clearly specified the causes resulting in the shortcomings and later adopted the conclusion of lessons learnt into the implementation of the Party�s guidelines. The five-point above mentioned lessons learnt are regarded as important for the further leadership and supervisory role of the Party in general, and Party Committees at all levels across the country.
The lessons learnt are as follows:

1. The strengthening of cohesive solidarity of all Lao people and unity within the Party are the basic factors to guaranteeing political stability and are associated with the creation of a social environment of security, safety and order, which are all basically important conditions for successfully implementing the nation�s two strategic tasks and international integration.

2. A need for enhancement of the role and ruling capacity of the Party to meet requirements in all sectors, particularly the leadership and supervision of all state organisations in translating the Party�s general guidelines and directions into detailed plans and projects in a correct and timely manner that is compatible with the potential and peculiarities of each locality.

Additionally, the enhancement of the potential of the economic sector and the people of all social strata to participate in the implementation is an essential condition for the successful execution of the Party�s guidelines.

3. Greater supervisory command coupled with unity and deep manners by Party Committees at each level and each sector across the country, combined with attention to nurturing and enhancing the knowledge and competence of officials and the follow up and motivation of Party members and officials to uphold their exemplary roles in implementing their duty with a high sense of responsibility to guarantee the successful implementation of the Party�s guidelines.

4. Focus work on projects at the grass-roots level continuously, regularly monitoring compatibility with local peculiarities and conducting regular assessments of each step of work. Define problems in accordance with reality and in association with rapid, vigilant and confident decision-making to address issues. Praising and rewarding those with good performance in a timely manner is important to implementing the Party�s guidelines successfully.

5. A consistent foreign policy of peace, independence, friendship, and constant cooperation, together with internal improvements for domestic strength and intensive commitment to fulfil obligations and commitments to create trust and be a good cooperation partner with international friends. This is the essential condition to attract support, assistance and cooperation from international friends in order to implement and realise the Party�s guidelines.

Based on important achievements in several aspects made over the past five years, the congress affirmed the decision made to lead the nation towards prosperity and strength, lead the people towards prosperity and create a cohesive and conciliatory society with democracy, justice, and civilisation under the slogan �Enhancing the cohesive solidarity of the Lao nation and unity within the Party, Upholding the leadership role and capacity of the Party, Devising a breakthrough approach for the implementation of the renovation policy, Creating a solid basis for lifting our nation from underdevelopment by 2020, and Advancing further towards the socialism destination�.