On the afternoon of July 1, 2025, leaders of the Academy of Public Administration and Governance (APAG) welcomed and had a working session with the delegation from the Lao National Academy of Politics and Public Administration.
At the meeting.
The Lao delegation was led by Dr. Lam Phoun Duansuvan, Director of the Kaysone Phomvihane Ideological Research Center. Other members included Deputy Directors from the Institute for Party Building, Institute of Political Economy, Institute of Philosophy, Institute of Public Governance, Institute of Scientific Socialism, the Department of Training Management, and representatives from the Embassy of Laos in Viet Nam.
On the side of Viet Nam, there were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, President of APAG; Dr. Bui Phuong Dinh, Vice President of APAG; leaders of departments, functional units, relevant agencies, and representatives of the Lao student community currently studying at APAG.
Dr. Lam Phoun Duansuvan, Director of the Kaysone Phomvihane Ideological Research Center.
In her remarks, Dr. Lam Phoun Duansuvan expressed her sincere appreciation for the warm welcome from the APAG leadership and shared updates on Laos’ preparations to amend its Constitution and re-establish the three-tier local government system, which includes restoring the commune-level administrative unit under the district level after the 2026 Party Congress. Based on this political restructuring, the Lao National Academy of Politics and Public Administration has been assigned the task of developing training programs and curricula for commune-level cadres.
Since May 2025, the Academy has officially undertaken the task of offering a Bachelor’s program in Politics and Public Administration, and is also launching doctoral programs in two fields: Political Economy and Philosophy. The Academy has also been assigned to develop curricula and teaching materials to support the training and capacity-building of grassroots officials. In this context, the Lao National Academy of Politics and Public Administration organized a visit and working session with APAG to exchange experience and promote cooperation in training, professional development, and faculty development.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, President of APAG.
In his remarks at the working session, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien warmly welcomed the delegation and extended congratulations to the Party, State, and people of Laos on their initial achievements in administrative reform and the renewal of the local government model.
Providing a brief overview of APAG following its recent organizational restructuring, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien shared that APAG is currently entrusted with the mission of training public leaders, managers, and civil servants at all levels. It is also tasked with developing research programs and transferring knowledge in the areas of administrative reform, public management, and local development. He expressed his desire for the two institutions to further strengthen their traditional cooperative relationship while expanding the scope of cooperation into fields such as research, training, knowledge transfer, and academic workshops, practically contributing to nurturing the special friendship, solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States, and peoples of Viet Nam and Laos.
The two sides agreed that, in the context of rapidly evolving technologies, artificial intelligence, and digital governance, building a capable workforce to meet new demands is an urgent priority. Accordingly, the cooperation program between the two institutions will focus on the following key areas:
- Supporting the development of training programs and curricula for commune-level cadres under a deeply decentralized governance model;
- Exchanging experts, teaching materials, training models, and modern pedagogical methods;
- Organizing academic workshops and seminars on topics such as local governance, public administration, digital transformation, and administrative reform;
- Strengthening exchanges between officials, lecturers, and students from both countries; supporting the development of a competent faculty capable of supervising doctoral research;
- Encouraging joint scientific research, international publications, and collaborative postgraduate education programs.
The working session reflected the spirit of special solidarity and the comprehensive cooperative relationship between Viet Nam and Laos. Both sides affirmed their commitment to continued close coordination, promoting joint efforts in training, research, and the development of administrative human resources, thereby contributing to the successful realization of the development goals set forth by the Parties and States of both countries.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien presented a souvenir to the delegation.
Dr. Lam Phoun Duansuvan, Director of the Kaysone Phomvihane Ideological Research Center, presented a souvenir.
Meeting participants.