VIENTIANE, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The Lao government has unveiled the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2026-2030), eyeing cultural heritage promotion, economic growth, and social development.
The plan was announced during a national meeting convened to discuss the implementation of resolutions adopted at the 12th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), Lao National TV reported on Thursday.
The plan outlines a roadmap aimed at accelerating sustainable development and strengthening Laos' regional integration.
To boost international recognition, the government plans to nominate several cultural traditions for inscription on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.
In education, authorities aim to increase school enrolment, keep the lower secondary dropout rate below 8 percent, and produce 50,000 graduates from vocational and technical training programs over the next five years. In the health sector, the government plans to lower both the newborn mortality rate and the mortality rate among children under 5.
Labor policies will focus on skills training for 650,000 people and facilitating employment for 411,000 workers in both domestic and overseas labor markets. Authorities also aim to reduce the national poverty rate to a single digit and lift more than 100,000 families out of poverty, while lowering acute malnutrition among children under 5 to 5 percent.
Environmental targets include raising forest cover to 70 percent and increasing greenhouse gas absorption capacity by 60 percent to support climate action. In addition, Laos plans to build or upgrade highways along ASEAN economic corridors to international load standards to strengthen regional connectivity. ■