Lao Ambassador has presented Credentials to Governor General of Canada

On 22 January 2026, at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, H.E Mr. Phoukhong Sisoulath, Ambassador-designate of the Lao PDR, presented the Letters of Credence from His Excellency Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith, President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, to Her Excellency Mary Simon, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, accrediting him as the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to Canada, with the chancery  in Washington, D.C.

On this occasion, the New Lao Ambassador conveyed the warm greetings and best wishes of His Excellency Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith, President of the Lao PDR, to Her Excellency the Governor General and, through her, to the Government and people of Canada.

Her Excellency Governor General of Canada expressed her appreciation to the President of the Lao PDR and extended her congratulations to the newly appointed Lao Ambassador on the assumption of his duties in Canada. She also highly valued the friendly relations and cooperation between Canada and Laos, as well as the mutual support between the two countries in multilateral forums over the years.

The Lao Ambassador expressed his sincere appreciation to Her Excellency the Governor General and to the Canadian authorities for the warm welcome extended to him, and reaffirmed his strong commitment to fulfilling his duties to further promote and strengthen the friendly relations and cooperation between the Lao PDR and Canada. The Ambassador also reassured that the Lao PDR, in the capacity of ASEAN–Canada Country Coordinator, would continue to play an active role in strengthening the ASEAN–Canada Strategic Partnership, particularly in advancing the negotiations on the ASEAN–Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA), aiming at its conclusion as envisioned by both sides.

On this occasion, on 23 January 2026, H.E Mr. Phoukhong Sisoulath, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to Canada held bilateral meetings with relevant Canadian authorities of Global Affairs Canada, namely Mr. Alan Bowman, Director General for the Southeast Asia and Oceania Bureau; Ms. Mary-Catherine Speirs, Director General for the Trade Negotiations Bureau; Ms. Judith Gelbman, Director of the Multilateral and Regional Programming Division; and Mr. Timothy Edwards, Director of the Weapons Threat Reduction Programs Division. During the meetings, the Lao and Canadian sides had constructive exchange of views and perspectives aimed at further strengthening and expanding Lao–Canada bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields, including political consultation, trade, investment, tourism, people-to-people diplomacy, scholarships, as well as the promotion of teaching and use of the French language in the Lao PDR. Both sides also exchanged views on enhancing ASEAN–Canada cooperation, with a particular focus on the ongoing negotiations of an ASEAN–Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA); Canada’s development assistance and technical aid to ASEAN, benefiting the Lao PDR as an ASEAN member state;  the Lao PDR’s preparations to host the Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions in late 2026. Discussions also covered Canada’s support for the preparations for the Review Conference, as well as its continued assistance in unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance efforts in the Lao PDR. During this official trip to Canada, the new Ambassador of Laos to Canada also took the opportunity to visit and meet with members of the Lao diaspora in Kitchener city, Ontario province. The meeting went in the spirit of friendship, the pride of Lao roots, as well as the rich Lao culture heritage.