PH Ambassador Leads Diplomatic Corps in Congratulating Laos for its 44th Founding Anniversary
Philippine Ambassador to Laos Belinda M. Ante (right) reads a congratulatory message for the 44th Founding Anniversary of Laos during the annual Wishing Ceremony held on 29 November 2019 at the Presidential Palace in Vientiane, Laos. (Photo courtesy of Press Department, Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
LAOS 23 December 2019 — Philippine Ambassador to Laos Belinda M. Ante, in her capacity as the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, delivered a congratulatory message during the annual Wishing Ceremony held on 29 November 2019 at the Presidential Palace in Vientiane, Laos to celebrate the country’s 44th Founding Anniversary. Laos celebrates its National Day on 02 December 2019.
In her speech, Ambassador Ante highlighted the Lao government’s efforts to recover from the effects of natural disasters, namely the flooding that occurred in 2018 and 2019 in various parts of Laos. She recognized the socio-economic achievements of Laos in the past two decades, including cutting poverty in half, reducing malnutrition, and improving education and health in the country. Due to these efforts, Laos was cited by the World Bank earlier this year as one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Ambassador Ante commended the Lao government for its continued efforts to bolster closer ties and connectivity with neighboring countries in the region which would foster greater trade and investment opportunities for Laos.
Ambassador Ante reaffirmed the commitment of the diplomatic corps to assist Laos in in the implementation of the country’s eighth National Socio-Economic Development Plan for the period 2016 to 2020 by further deepening relations, encouraging trade and investments, increasing government-to-government and people-to-people interactions, and enhancing cooperation on all levels. Ambassador Ante assured Lao President Bounnhang Vorachith and the other Lao government officials that, in light of the recent natural disasters which ravaged the country this year, the diplomatic corps stood ready to extend assistance to Laos in disaster management either bilaterally or through multilateral cooperation mechanisms.
In response, Lao President Bounnhang Vorachit expressed his appreciation for Ambassador Ante’s message, which he said was an inspiration for the Lao government to continue the task of national development and move towards its green and sustainable development path. END
Philippine Ambassador to Laos Belinda M. Ante (fifth from left) with Prime Minister Thongloun (center) with the other ASEAN ambassadors and their spouses for the traditional ASEAN Way handshake after the Wishing Ceremony. (Vientiane PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.vientianepe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/vientianepe/.