VIENTIANE: In a sweeping cabinet reshuffle, nine ministers and the governor of the central bank have been replaced or reassigned following recent structural reforms that saw the merger of several key ministries and state agencies. Two ministers are retiring.
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Bounkham Vorachit (pic), has been appointed Governor of the Bank of the Lao PDR, replacing Vetthana Dalaloy, who was serving as Acting Governor.
Head of the Administration Office of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee, Professor Dr Thongsalith Mangnomek, has been appointed Minister of Education and Sports. He replaces Associate Professor Dr Phouth Simmalavong, who has retired.
The cabinet reshuffle was approved by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly (NA) at its extraordinary session held on Friday, June 6. The reshuffle was based on a proposal submitted by Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, according to NA Vice President Sounthone Sayachack, who spoke to the media on the same day.
Minister of Planning and Investment, Dr Phet Phomphiphak now takes up a new, unspecified role within the Administration Office of the Party Central Committee.
Following the merger of the Ministry of Planning and Investment with the Ministry of Finance—now operating under the unified name of the Ministry of Finance—Santiphab Phomvihane will continue to serve as Minister of Finance.
Minister of Home Affairs, Vilayvong Bouddakham, will assume a new role at the Organisation and Personnel Committee of the Party Central Committee, following the dissolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Minister of Energy and Mines, Phoxay Sayasone has been appointed Minister of Labour and Social Welfare. His former ministry was recently merged with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
Baykham Khattiya, who has been replaced by Phoxay, now becomes Minister of Health, succeeding Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, who has retired.
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr Linkham Duangsavanh has been appointed Minister of Agriculture and Environment—a new entity formed from the merger of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
Malaythong Kommasith retains his post as Minister of Industry and Commerce, following the merger of the Ministry of Energy and Mines with his ministry, which continues to operate under the same name.
This major reshuffle comes as the current government nears the end of its five-year term (2021–2025), setting the stage for the next administration.
It also precedes the upcoming 9th Ordinary Session of the 9th Legislature of the National Assembly, which is scheduled to begin on Monday.
Lawmakers are expected to review progress on the implementation of the 2025 socio-economic development plan and outline actions for the remainder of the final year. The draft of the 2026–2030 socio-economic development plan will also be tabled for discussion. - Vientiane Times/ANN
