Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane will be in Manila from Aug. 12 to 14 for an official visit, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane (Tap Chi Lao-Viet)
In a statement, the DFA confirmed Thongsavanh’s visit after he was invited by DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro.
“During the visit, the two Ministers will co-chair the 3rd Meeting of the Philippines-Lao PDR Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation on 13 August 2025,” the statement read.
His visit makes Thongsavanh as the first foreign minister from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to be welcomed by Lazaro in her capacity as DFA chief.
The visit will take place amid the celebration of the 70 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Laos.
According to the DFA, there are approximately 2,000 Filipinos in the Lao PDR.
They are working in the fields of education, hotel services, engineering and infrastructure development, and are held in high esteem as contributors to Lao PDR's growth and development.
Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Lao PDR were established on Jan. 14, 1955.