Lao leader urges stronger action on floods, illegal activities, and social issues

Lao Party Secretary General and President Thongloun Sisoulith has called for stronger leadership to address social problems, flood recovery, and illegal activities, including mining and unlawfully imported vehicles, following a Central Committee meeting that concluded October 1. The Extraordinary Plenary Meeting of the 12th Party Central Committee, held one day ahead of schedule, adopted three draft resolutions and provided guidance on tackling illegal mining and vehicle imports. Thongloun urged action against illegal weapons, drugs, online scams, and road accidents, while also calling for better management of online media to prevent misinformation. Authorities were instructed to prioritize flood recovery, including repairing roads, irrigation, and farmland, and to support affected families. The meeting also emphasized rural development, poverty reduction, and improving Party committee working methods, with leaders urged to curb extravagance and conduct thorough investigations into organizational issues.