FAO and IUCN launched a $42 million GEF-funded initiative to protect primary forests in Southeast Asia and the Pacific; It supports Laos, PNG and Thailand, aims to manage 3,2M ha, restore 8,5k ha, cut 34M t CO₂, and benefit around 20.000 people

Laos is relocating 845 families in Oudomxay Province to clear land for a hydropower dam; Authorities are displacing communities to resettlement sites with housing and services, but concerns remain over compensation and loss of livelihoods

First aquarium in laos is being planned in Vientiane, featuring freshwater species from the Mekong and regional rivers; The facility will include educational exhibits, conservation programs and research spaces

A major corruption case in Attapeu revealed billions of kip in stolen public funds and exposed widespread financial mismanagement in local government; 38 officials and business figures are implicated in embezzlement and abuse of public investment projects

Thailand has eased oil export controls to Laos, allowing shipments to resume under revised monitoring measures; The move follows supply disruptions and aims to stabilise cross-border energy trade