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 Extraordinary Teleconference of the IMCWP

(Vientiane, 10-11-12 December 2021)

• Esteemed Presidium,
• Distinguished Delegates,

At the outset, on behalf of the delegation of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, I am very pleased and honored to attend this extraordinary teleconference of the IMCWP under this important topic.

Regional and international situation continues to undergo complex and unpredictable changes, coupled with global outbreak of the Covid-19, which affects development directly and indirectly, and inflicts considerable losses of people’s lives and assets. The underlying conflicts in relations to economy, trade, technology and other strategic issues between countries in the world pose tremendous challenges to states as well as communist and workers’ parties, left-wing parties, and the progressive movements in the world in their undertaking of activities. In particular, we continue to confront with machinations and attacks by hostile forces, imperialists and their western alliance aiming at stifling and dismantling the left forces in different parts of the world, especially by interfering in internal affairs, imposing unilateral economic and financial sanctions and making various forms of attacks.

            Against this backdrop, the communist and workers’ movements, particularly the International Meeting of Communist and Workers’ Parties (IMCWP) continue to undertake their activities in an active, dynamic and appropriate way, including through the issuing of joint statements on crucial and pressing issues by communist and workers’ parties, with the objectives of mobilizing forces, solidarity and mutual support in the struggle against imperialism, war, exploitations, oppressions and all forms of threats posed by capitalism, for the cause of peace, justice and social progress.

Dear Delegates,

            Over the past, the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (Lao PRP) has led the country’s revolutionary cause to fight against imperialist colonization, thus regaining genuine independence for the country and true freedom for the Lao people, and advanced the cause of national defense and development as well as further carried out the Comprehensive Renovation Policy based on the Party principles toward achieving socialism. Since 1986, the Lao PRP has been creative in leading the Renovation policy, which has been implemented in accordance with the country’s characteristics and realities, as well as the prevailing development and integration in regional and international contexts. As a result, the Lao PDR has been able to record tremendousachievements in an array of areas. The most predominant and fundamental successes are that the Lao PDR has been able to maintain firm political stability, security and social order. Its economy has enjoyed steady growth. People’s wellbeing has been gradually improved, and poverty has been reduced as planned.

On January 2021, the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party successfully convened its XI^th National Congress. At the Congress, the new Party Central Committee was elected. And, Comrade ThonglounSisoulith was unanimously elected as the Party General Secretary. Taking this opportunity, on behalf of the Lao PRP, I would liketo express my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the communist and workers’ parties, left-wing parties, progressive movements as well as all friendly political parties for extending their congratulatory messages to our Party Congress and the General Secretary.

The Congress adopted its resolutions and the Ninth Five Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan, which set major goals, targeted programs and priority projects to be realized with the aim to graduating the Lao PDR from the Least Developed Country status by 2026, and advancing the country status to a higher medium income nation by 2030, guided by green and sustainable development in order to build the Lao PDR a strong and prosperous country where people enjoy a wealthy and happy life, and society enjoys harmony, solidarity, democracy, justice and civilization.

Dear Delegates,

By upholding the foreign policy of peace, independence, friendship and cooperation, and adhering to the principles of peaceful coexistence, settlement of disputes through peaceful means and non-interference in internal affairs, the Lao PRP has actively undertaken activities in the regional and international frameworks, including the IMCWP. The Lao PRP is consistent in its support for the struggle for independence, freedom, rights and legitimate interests of the people of all nations in the world, and oppose confrontation, isolation and unilateral sanctions measures imposed on any country as they may not bring about benefits to the countries concerned and the international community.

In this vein, we call for the earliest possible lifting of the economic, trade and financial blockade on the Republic of Cuba as such blockade does not only violate the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and International law, but also imposes severe restrictions and obstacles to socio-economic  development of Cuba. We hope that the prolonged Israeli-Palestinian conflict over many decadeswill be resolved by peaceful means in order to achieve a two-state solution where Palestine and Israel can live side by side in peace, security and within internationally recognized borders as stipulated in the relevant Resolutions of the UN Security council.

Looking ahead, despite the sophisticated and unpredictable unfolding of regional and international environment, peace and cooperation for development remains the prevailing trend. The Lao PRP reiterates its commitments to further cooperate with political parties in the region and the world, including communists and workers’ parties, left-wing parties and progressive movements in the world for the cause of peace, stability, security and social progress as well as cooperation for development and prosperity of all nations in the world 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 communist and workers’ parties and friends in this endeavor.

In conclusion, may I wish this Extraordinary teleconference a great success.

I thank you!