Remarks

by H.E. ThongsavanhPhomvihane,

Member of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Committee for External Relations of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party,

Head of the delegation at the 22^nd International Meeting of Communist and Workers’ Parties.

(27-29 October 2022 in Havana, Cuba)

------------------------------------

Dear: - Esteemed Presidium,

• Distinguished Delegates,
• Comrades and Friends,

At the outset, I am very pleased and honored to lead the delegation of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party to attend the22^nd International Meeting of Communist and Workers’ Parties which is being held in this beautiful city of Havana. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Communist Party of Cuba forinviting the delegation of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party to attend this International Meetingand congratulate the host on the excellent arrangements made for this important gathering as well as the generous hospitality extended to our delegation. 

This meeting marks a vitalpolitical event of the Communist and Workers’ Parties and progressive movements worldwide as a significant mechanism of gathering solidarity, enhancing cooperation and exchanges in theories and practices, coordinating for unity and having a common measureto strengthen ideological and organizational works and activities of Communists and Workers’ Parties for the cause of peace and balanced development of nations, and for socialism. 

Over the past years, regional and international situation continues to undergo complex and unpredictable changes, the Communist and Workers’ Parties and the progressive movements in the world have confronted with various challenges; however, the torch of revolution for socialism has been safeguarded and uplifted.  The Communist and Workers’ Parties and the progressive movements worldwide have closely coordinated, exchanges lessons learnt to lead and guide to respond to the challenges in the newsituation and conditions, encouragesfor self-improvement,strengthens national solidarity and unity and expanding cooperationfor the protection ofsocialist ideological, rights and freedom, and the interests of the working classas to contribute to peace building, trust, friendship and development cooperation in the regions and the world.In this spirit, I believe that this InternationalMeeting of the Communist and Workers’ Parties will be an active and fruitful forum toward achieving those goals.

To achieve those end, under the new situation and challenges, we note that the Communist and Workers’ parties, left wing and progressive movements in the world shall continue to enhance cooperation, exchange lessons learnt and mutual support in both multilateral and bilateral stages.

Distinguished delegates, 

Since the establishment of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, leading by Comrade Fidel Castro, the role model and the leader of the revolution on political science and ideological development of the people of Cuba, together with ComradeRaúl Castro Ruz and Comrade Miguel Diaz, the leader of new generation, whose leadCuban people to achieve a victory and a comprehensive success in the mission of safeguarding and developing the country of Cuba, firmly safeguarding the fruit of revolution, which also contributedsignificantly to the cause of regional and international safeguarding peace and stability, upholding the role and the influence of Cuba in the regional and international stages.Cuba is not alone, the power of solidarity for Cuba are all around the world, the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and the Lao people are one of them.

The Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (Lao PRP), the Government of Lao PDR and the Lao people reiterated our consistent policy on enhancing solidarity, supporting for the just struggle of the Communist Party of Cuba and the heroic people of Cuba and oppose all forms of unjust activities particularly the economic, trade and financialblockade of theUS on Cuba and we call for the US to permanently cancel all sanctions on Cuba.

Distinguished delegates, 

In the past decades, Lao people has been through evolutionary process to up-rise against feudalist, thenew and old imperialist colonization to regaining genuine independence for the country. Under the leadership of the Lao PRP which always upholds Marxism-Leninism as a foundation for the party’s ideology leading to full victory and proclaim the foundation of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic on the 2^nd December 1975. 

The Lao People’s Revolutionary Party is now implementing the resolutions of the 11^th National Congress, the Ninth Five Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2021-2025) and the Vision 2030, focusing on graduating the Lao PDR from the Least Developed Country status, increasing income rate, raising the people’s standard of living, eradicating poverty and striving to achieve the GDP growth of 4% or more per annum and GDP per capita of USD 2,880 by 2025.Further integrating and actively deepening the translation of the Green Growth Strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals,continuing to address the economic difficulties as well as focusing on the prevention and control of the outbreak of the Covid-19. 

The Lao People’s Revolutionary Party reiterates its commitment to continue to cooperate with all political parties in the regions and the world including the Communist and Workers’ Parties, left-wing parties and the progressive movements in the world for peace, stability, security, cooperation for development, social progress and for socialism. 

In this spirit, the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party has applied for a membership of the Working Group of the IMCWP and looks forward to receiving supports from all Communist and Workers’ Parties and friends in this endeavor. 

In conclusion, may I wish this 22^nd International Meeting of Communist and Workers’ Parties a great success.I thank you!