Thongloun Sisoulith is pictured after being elected general secretary of the 12th Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), in Vientiane, Laos, Jan. 8, 2026. (LPRP congress media center/Handout via Xinhua)

The 12th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) concluded on Thursday in the Lao capital Vientiane, and Thongloun Sisoulith was elected general secretary of the 12th Central Committee of the LPRP at the 12th Central Committee's first meeting.

The three-day congress elected 73 members of the 12th LPRP Central Committee and 15 alternate members.

The 12th LPRP Central Committee held its first meeting on Thursday morning, electing a 13-member central committee politburo and an 11-member secretariat.

Delivering a speech after being elected, Thongloun said the 12th LPRP Central Committee would carry forward the Party's revolutionary spirit, further strengthen its political responsibility, and work closely with the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups nationwide to effectively implement the congress's resolutions.

Founded in 1955, the LPRP was originally known as the Lao People's Party, before adopting its current name at its second congress in 1972. The LPRP traditionally holds a national congress every five years. 

Thongloun Sisoulith delivers a speech after being elected general secretary of the 12th Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), in Vientiane, Laos, Jan. 8, 2026. (LPRP congress media center/Handout via Xinhua)

The 12th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) is concluded in Vientiane, Laos, Jan. 8, 2026. (LPRP congress media center/Handout via Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 8, 2026 shows the first meeting of the 12th Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee in Vientiane, Laos. (LPRP congress media center/Handout via Xinhua)