Laos Deepens Bilateral Cooperation with Indonesia During Deputy Prime Minister’s Jakarta Visit

On May 4 - 5, The Lao delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Thongsavanh Phomvihane, paid an official visit to Indonesia at the invitation of H.E. Sugiono, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia. The visit aimed to further strengthen the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Both sides agreed to expand trade and investment, particularly in priority sectors with strong mutual potential, including agriculture, energy, food security, and mining. They also emphasized the importance of reactivating the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) as the primary mechanism for advancing more concrete cooperation. In discussions on regional and global issues, the two ministers underscored the importance of maintaining ASEAN unity and centrality amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.

The Lao Deputy Prime Minister’s visit to Jakarta in early May marked his first visit to a Southeast Asian country since the formation of the new Laotian government in March 2026. He invited Minister Sugiono to visit the Lao PDR and co-chair the 6th JCBC meeting in 2027, which will coincide with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. During the visit, he also met with Mr. Bernardino Moningka Vega, Vice Chair for International Affairs at the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to further promote bilateral trade and investment. For U.S. companies operating in Southeast Asia, the visit signals continued efforts by Laos and Indonesia to deepen economic cooperation and expand opportunities for trade, investment, and commercial engagement.