Utility Électricité du Laos EDL-Nam Theun 2 signed a contract with Indonesia’s state-owned INK to enhance hydropower capacity; The deal targets modernization, increased generation, and better grid integration to support Laos’s energy export goals

Female civil servants are now eligible for maternity leave ranging from 4 up to 6,5 months for mothers expecting twins; miscarriages earn one month of leave, with medical extensions as needed

The government is enforcing stricter penalties on tobacco companies that fail to comply with new graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, aiming to curb smoking and protect public health

Mimee Phommaly, a 27-year-old woman with a degree in agriculture, is transforming in Luang Prabang farming: her Khamphet Farm cultivates over 25 types of fruit, actively challenging gender stereotypes in farming and empowering community by providing jobs

In the village of Ban Nam Deua, a Swiss-backed initiative is helping residents secure legal land rights; Through training, mapping and community engagement, the project empowers villagers to manage their land sustainably and avoid disputes or exploitation