Gia Lai signs Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the period 2026-2030 with provinces in Southern Laos.

Conference Overview

Attending the conference, on the side of the Southern Lao provinces were: Silay Sisavangsuk, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Government Committee of Attapu Province; Sombun Huongvongsa, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Government Committee of Champasak Province; Phosi Keosiphandon, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Government Committee of Salavan Province; Bunthavi Nakhonsit, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Government Committee of Sekong Province; Somxay Nongla, Economic Counselor, Embassy of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in Vietnam.

On the side of Gia Lai Province were: Thai Dai Ngoc - Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Pham Anh Tuan - Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; members of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, the Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Council, leaders of the Provincial People's Committee, leaders of the Provincial Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Provincial National Assembly Delegation; members of the Steering Committee for cooperation with the Southern provinces of Laos and relevant departments, agencies, associations, and organizations; and leaders of relevant communes and wards.

Also attending the conference were delegates from Lao student training institutions and businesses from the province investing in Laos.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Thanh Lich reported on the results of cooperation and development between Gia Lai province and the four southern provinces of Laos during the 2021-2025 period and the direction and tasks for the 2026-2030 period.

During the 2021-2025 period, based on trust, close ties, and mutual understanding, the cooperative relationship between Gia Lai province and the southern provinces of Laos has been continuously strengthened and comprehensively developed. Cooperation activities have become increasingly in-depth and practical in many fields such as education and training, healthcare, agriculture, trade and investment, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges.

In particular, economic, trade, and investment cooperation has gradually expanded; businesses from both sides have strengthened connections and sought cooperation opportunities; and trade activities through border gates have become increasingly vibrant. Both sides have also regularly supported and created favorable conditions for businesses in the investment, production, and business processes. Coordinate efforts to overcome difficulties, promote socio-economic development, and improve the lives of the people.

The total budget for cooperation during the 2021-2025 period is nearly 116 billion VND, with the majority being funding for the construction of friendship projects and scholarships for students from the southern provinces of Laos.

Speaking at the conference, representatives from the southern provinces of Laos highly appreciated the active support and effective cooperation of Gia Lai province during the 2021-2025 period; they committed to directing relevant agencies and units to implement the signed cooperation contents for the 2026-2030 period comprehensively and effectively, contributing to the socio-economic development of the localities and creating a solid foundation for long-term, sustainable cooperation and development between the two sides.

Representatives from the southern provinces of Laos also expressed their determination to continue preserving and nurturing the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in general, and between Gia Lai province and the southern provinces of Laos in particular, so that it may forever flourish and endure for generations to come.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Pham Anh Tuan delivered a speech at the conference.

Speaking at the conference, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Pham Anh Tuan affirmed: The Vietnam-Laos relationship is a special, loyal, and pure relationship, rare in the world; diligently nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, and President Souphanouvong, along with generations of leaders of the two countries. To date, this relationship continues to be consolidated and developed by high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and States on the foundation of great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation.

Gia Lai province identifies strengthening cooperation with the southern provinces of Laos not only as a local foreign affairs task but also as an important political responsibility, contributing to nurturing the special relationship between the two countries.

On behalf of the provincial leadership, Chairman Pham Anh Tuan expressed gratitude for the attention and guidance of the Party and State leaders, and central ministries and agencies; The coordination and support of the diplomatic representative agencies of the two countries, especially the close and effective cooperation of the southern provinces of Laos over the past period, have been crucial.

To effectively implement the cooperation contents in the 2026-2030 period, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Pham Anh Tuan proposed continuing to strengthen political trust, maintaining exchanges of delegations at all levels; promoting propaganda and education about the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos, especially for the younger generation, ensuring continuity and sustainable development.

In addition, he suggested improving the effectiveness of cooperation in key areas; focusing on economic connectivity, promoting trade, investment, business linkages, tourism development, and effectively exploiting the potential and advantages of each locality. He also proposed implementing cooperation programs and projects in a substantive, effective, and focused manner; linking cooperation with the development needs of each side. Strengthen coordination, mutual support, and promptly resolve difficulties and obstacles in the implementation process. Enhance people-to-people exchanges, cultural and sports exchanges; continue to cultivate close ties between the people of the localities, laying a solid foundation for long-term cooperation.

Gia Lai Province commits to continuing to decisively direct its departments, agencies, and localities to closely coordinate with the Southern Lao provinces to effectively implement the signed cooperation agreements, with the spirit of "helping a friend is helping oneself," for mutual development and mutual success.

Vice Chairman of the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Thanh Lich signed a Memorandum of Cooperation for the period 2026-2030 with the Southern Lao provinces.

To build upon the achievements already made and further develop the relationship between Gia Lai province and the four Southern Lao provinces, making it more in-depth, practical, and effective, at the conference, the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee and the Provincial Governments of Attapu, Champasak, Salavan, and Sekong signed a Memorandum of Cooperation for the period 2026-2030.

Also at the conference, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Sekong province and PISICO Binh Dinh Corporation - Joint Stock Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a cooperative relationship and support in research, surveys, and exploration of investment opportunities in Sekong province; the Attapu Provincial Government granted an extension of the permit for the multi-cropping forest planting project of Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group.

Provincial Party Secretary Thai Dai Ngoc speaks at the conference.

Speaking at the conference, Provincial Party Secretary Thai Dai Ngoc emphasized: The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation for the period 2026-2030 between Gia Lai province and the southern provinces of Laos opens a new phase of more comprehensive and practical cooperation between the localities; further strengthening cooperative relations in the future, especially towards 2027 - the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Laos.

Provincial Party Secretary Thai Dai Ngoc requested that leaders of both sides continue to pay attention to directing relevant agencies and units to strengthen coordination and implement the signed cooperation contents synchronously and effectively. At the same time, continue to promote the effectiveness of the delegation exchange mechanism, assigning the focal agencies to proactively concretize the memorandum of understanding through annual work programs and plans; Regularly reviewing and evaluating implementation results, promptly resolving difficulties and obstacles, and ensuring that cooperation contents are substantive, increasingly effective, and sustainable.

"With a spirit of solidarity, friendship, and shared determination, the cooperative relationship between Gia Lai province and the four southern provinces of Laos will continue to develop, becoming a bright spot in local-level cooperation, thereby contributing to nurturing and further deepening the great friendship and special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos," Secretary Thai Dai Ngoc confidently stated.

Thai Dai Ngoc (first on the left), Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Pham Anh Tuan, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, present commemorative gifts to the high-level delegation from the Southern provinces of Laos.

Delegates pose for a commemorative photo.