Russia–Laos Diplomacy: President Vladimir Putin told Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith that bilateral ties rest on “friendship, mutual respect and trust,” noting trade momentum after diplomatic celebrations in Moscow. ASEAN-Russia Summit (Kazan): Putin is hosting ASEAN leaders in Kazan for a 35th-anniversary summit, with discussions expected to cover trade, investment, security and humanitarian cooperation. LMC Special Fund: China and Laos signed the 2026 Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund agreement in Vientiane, with Laos linking it to its push to become a land-linked hub. SME Financing Push: Banque Franco-Lao (BFL) and IFC launched a Risk Sharing Facility to expand bank lending to Lao SMEs, targeting a US$10 million loan portfolio. Health System Planning: Laos’ Ministry of Health reviewed progress and set priorities for a 2026–2030 five-year plan focused on professionalizing the workforce and strengthening service delivery. Flood Preparedness: The National Water Resources Committee approved the 2026 flood response plan and reviewed readiness across hydropower operations, reservoir management and urban drainage. Energy Security Warning: An IEA analysis says Southeast Asia’s heavy reliance on Strait of Hormuz routes leaves the region exposed, urging faster diversification to avoid a major rise in import burdens.