AGP Executive Report

Huawei Launches HUAWEI Mate 90 Series: Huawei unveiled its next flagship line with the “LogicFolding Tau” chipset and upgraded imaging and display features, pushing deeper into end-to-end R&D. Quantum Governance: Pasqal named Florence Lao as Chief Legal Officer to oversee global legal strategy, compliance, and public-company scaling for neutral-atom quantum computing. Laos–China Tech for Infrastructure: Lao and Chinese firms signed an MoU to upgrade engineering quality testing, build an international-standard lab, and train staff for roads, bridges, railways, airports, and flood-related research. MoES Literacy Research in Laos: With Australia’s BEQUAL support, Laos launched a year-long study on what helps children build Lao language and literacy, especially for kids who don’t speak Lao at home. Smart Cooling for Vientiane Roads: A pilot “smart clean-cooling” system on Lane Xang Avenue hit 95% completion, using sensors to trigger mist cooling when road heat rises. Cybersecurity in Laos: Kaspersky and Best Telecom expanded cooperation to bundle consumer digital protection and strengthen security across telecom and financial services. China Air Training in Laos: China opened a joint air force support and training centre at Ban Keun Airport, Laos, as its third overseas military outpost. ASEAN Climate Priorities: Singapore’s Grace Fu urged ASEAN to focus on a regional power grid, climate finance, and resilience as the region faces rising climate risks. Google Leadership for SEA/South Asia: Google appointed Nitin Gajria as MD for frontier markets to drive digitalisation and AI-led growth across the region. Ozone Warning: A new global analysis says nearly 40% of the world’s population has been exposed to harmful ground-level ozone levels in 2026, with Asia hit hardest.

China–Laos Military Training: China has opened a joint air force support and training centre at Ban Keun Airport in Vientiane province, its third overseas military outpost, with Laos officials saying it’s for pilot training and not aimed at third parties. Engineering & Labs: Lao and Chinese firms signed an MoU to upgrade engineering quality testing, including plans for an international-standard lab and specialized equipment for research on urban flooding. Education Research: Laos’ MoES, backed by Australia’s BEQUAL program, launched a year-long study on what drives Lao language and literacy for primary students—especially those who don’t speak Lao at home. Digital Security in Laos: Kaspersky and Best Telecom expanded cybersecurity cooperation, bundling consumer protection services through telecom and IT partner Sysmatik. Smart City Cooling: Vientiane’s smart road cleaning and cooling pilot is 95% done, using sensor-triggered water mist to cool hot road surfaces and monitor air pollutants. ASEAN Crime Tech Cooperation: ASEAN law enforcement leaders met in Hanoi to improve cross-border action against criminal fugitives, noting criminals increasingly use science and digital tools to evade capture. Regional Digital Economy: ASEAN’s digital framework is pushing ahead, with the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement moving toward signature and ratification timelines.

Aviation & Training: China has opened a joint air force support and training centre in Laos at Ban Keun Airport, with Laos and China jointly maintaining the facility to boost Lao pilot training. Infrastructure Testing: Lao and Chinese enterprises signed an MoU to upgrade engineering quality testing, lab development, and technical training, aiming to build an international-standard engineering laboratory and provide specialized equipment for research on urban flooding. Education Research: Laos’ MoES, supported by Australia’s BEQUAL program, launched a year-long study on what drives Lao language and literacy in primary students—especially those who don’t speak Lao at home—feeding into curriculum and teacher development. Cybersecurity Partnerships: Kaspersky and Best Telecom expanded cooperation in Laos to strengthen digital security for telecom and financial services, bundling Kaspersky consumer protection for eligible customers. Regional Digital Policy: ASEAN’s borderless digital economy push via the Digital Economy Framework Agreement faces a trust gap, with civil society and digital rights groups questioning what it means for everyday users. Digital Economy Planning: Laos is reviewing a draft 2026–2035 master plan to grow e-commerce and the digital economy.

Laos Digital Economy: Laos is reviewing a draft 2026–2035 master plan to grow e-commerce and the digital economy, with priorities including 4G/5G, logistics, AI and cybersecurity, plus consumer-protection mechanisms for online complaints and disputes. ASEAN Media & Trust: ASEAN information officials met in Vientiane to strengthen regional information and media cooperation, focusing on digital transformation, misinformation, and how to improve journalist and content-creator skills. Mekong Institute Leadership: Lao Deputy Foreign Minister Maythong Thammavongsa welcomed the new Mekong Institute Executive Director, Anoulak Kittikhoun, discussing 2026–2030 priorities in research and innovation, digital transformation, and climate adaptation. Regional Payments Tech: Vietnam’s cross-border QR payments are surging as visitors from Laos and other neighbors use familiar apps via VietQR Global, with NAPAS reporting big jumps in both volume and value. E-commerce Governance: Laos is also stepping up e-commerce sector development through the 2026–2035 framework, aiming for a more professional and transparent market. Science for Growth: Vietnam’s PM urged ministries to push strategic technology development and speed commercialization of research results—an approach Laos partners may watch closely.

ASEAN Digital Trade: ASEAN’s Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) is nearing signature, aiming to open a more secure, inclusive digital economy—yet civil society is raising concerns about what it means for everyday users. Cross-border Payments: Vietnam’s cross-border QR payments are surging, with payments by visitors from Thailand, Laos and Cambodia in Vietnam up sharply in the first eight months, showing how payment links are becoming a tourism growth lever. Laos Crypto Crackdown: Laos orders banks to block card transactions tied to unlicensed foreign crypto platforms, tightening consumer protection and compliance. E-commerce Push in Laos: Laos is reviewing a 2026–2035 e-commerce master plan, prioritizing digital infrastructure, logistics, AI, cybersecurity, and consumer dispute handling. Regional Media Cooperation: ASEAN information officials meet in Vientiane to strengthen media collaboration and tackle misinformation and synthetic media. Mekong Institute Leadership: Laos welcomes the new Mekong Institute executive director, with plans for research, innovation, digital transformation, and climate adaptation. Science for Growth: Vietnam’s PM urges ministries to speed up strategic tech development and remove barriers to commercializing research results.

ASEAN Media & Digital Policy: Senior ASEAN officials met in Vientiane to push regional cooperation on digital transformation, and to tackle misinformation as AI and social media accelerate. Laos Digital Economy: Laos reviewed a 2026–2035 e-commerce master plan aimed at faster digital growth, with focus on connectivity, logistics, AI and cybersecurity plus consumer protection. Science for Growth: Laos’ development agenda is getting a science-and-tech push, with calls to turn research into real economic value and to improve shared-use labs and testing centres. Sports Science Links: Laos and Cuba agreed to expand cooperation in sports science, technology and innovation, including joint research and staff/student exchanges. Cross-border QR Payments: Vietnam reported an eightfold jump in QR payments by tourists from Laos, Thailand and Cambodia, showing how payment links are shifting from “connectivity” to real retail and tourism value. Scam Crackdown Cooperation: Regional efforts to dismantle online scam networks continue, with international coordination and asset-focused commitments highlighted after a Phnom Penh conference. Wildlife Conservation: Cambodia’s vulture numbers rose from about 120 in 2020 to 163 this year, with experts urging stronger habitat and migration-route protection.

ASEAN Media Cooperation: Senior ASEAN information officials met in Vientiane to push digital transformation while tackling misinformation, with plans for 2026–2035 regional media projects and journalist training. Laos–Cuba Sports Science: Laos’ education and sports ministry met a Cuban delegation to expand cooperation in sports science, technology, innovation, and joint research via university agreements. Science for Growth: Laos’ regional push for stronger science and technology shows up in a call to remove bottlenecks to commercialize research, improve shared-use labs, and speed up strategic tech pilots. E-commerce Master Plan: Laos reviewed a draft 2026–2035 e-commerce master plan aimed at digital economy growth, including 4G/5G, logistics, AI, cybersecurity, and consumer dispute handling. Language & Literacy Research: MoES and Australia begin research fieldwork to strengthen children’s Lao language and literacy, targeting classroom practices and oral language development. Anti-Scam Collaboration: Laos is boosting cooperation to fight scam networks, while a Phnom Penh Declaration gathers countries and partners to coordinate action against online fraud ecosystems. Health Tech Focus: A Philippines study explores AI-assisted chest X-ray interpretation to improve TB screening where radiology access is limited. Digital ID & Payments Trend: Regional updates highlight cross-border QR payments shifting toward economic value, and growing interest in linking digital ID systems across countries.

Laos Development & Connectivity: Laos is pushing to graduate from Least Developed Country status by year-end, backed by a Smooth Transition Strategy, while the EU is extending development support in a new phase focused on sustainable investment, private-sector growth, trade, jobs and connectivity. AI & Regional Digital Trade: At the China-ASEAN AI ministerial roundtable, Lao-linked voices argued AI should boost development and public services, but stressed safeguards like data security, privacy and bias controls. Cross-border Payments: Vietnam’s State Bank says cross-border QR payments are shifting from basic connectivity to real economic value, with tourism, retail and trade as key drivers. Cyber-Scam Crackdown: 28 nations and seven international organizations signed the Phnom Penh Declaration after a Cambodia conference, pledging coordinated action to dismantle online scam networks and disrupt the money flows behind them. Laos Labor Market: Laos is tackling labor shortages with short- and long-term plans, including stronger employment services and more online job support. Health Tech for TB: Ateneo researchers in the Philippines are studying how AI-assisted chest X-ray interpretation could improve early tuberculosis screening in rural areas where radiology access is limited. ASEAN SME Training: The ASEAN-China Centre is expanding SME training across ASEAN—covering FTAs, customs and cross-border e-commerce—with Laos included in recent sessions.

Global Development Initiative: Xi Jinping’s congratulatory letter for the GDI’s fifth anniversary at UN headquarters in New York praised the initiative’s rollout across 120+ countries, framing it as a “cornerstone” for accelerating the UN 2030 Agenda. HIV Funding Pressure: UNAIDS warned that HIV resources fell 18% in 2025, with the US committing $887m to DRC Ebola response as governments step up support for UNAIDS amid a widening financing gap. Digital Payments in Laos Region: Vietnam’s cross-border QR payments are shifting from basic connectivity to real economic value for tourism, retail and trade—an approach Laos businesses may watch as cashless adoption grows. AI Governance at the UN: India argued at UNGA that countries should be free to build their own AI models, while others warned the Global South can’t be left as data-centre destinations. Laos Labor & Health Security: Laos is tackling labor shortages with online job services and policy balancing supply/demand, while ASF has reached 7 provinces, forcing tighter movement controls and biosecurity. Identity & Fraud Tech: Digital ID and anti-scam efforts continue to expand across the region, as regulators and conferences push stronger protections against tech-enabled fraud networks.

UN AI Governance: India’s S. Jaishankar told the UN that every country should be able to develop its own AI models, warning that concentrated control can deepen bias and inequality. Cyber-Scam Crackdown: A Cambodia anti-scam conference urged cross-border action as scam gangs use job ads and AI masks to lure victims, while regional efforts to disrupt networks keep expanding. Laos Labor & Biosecurity: Laos is tackling labor shortages with online job services and new supply-demand policies, while African swine fever has spread to seven provinces, triggering tighter movement controls and farm-level biosecurity. Digital Payments & Travel Tech: Vietnam Airlines signed deals with Visa and AWS to push digital transformation, payments, and data-driven passenger services. Public Health Research: Ateneo researchers in the Philippines studied how AI-assisted chest X-ray reading could expand affordable tuberculosis screening in rural areas. Regional Tech Diplomacy: Laos-Japan cooperation continues via training on legislative and judicial practices, supporting stronger governance capacity.

Cybersecurity & Scams: Cambodia’s anti-scam conference ended with a pledge to boost cross-border action against tech-enabled fraud, after US lawmakers urged sanctions probes over alleged links to scam operations. Digital Identity: Visa and Vietnam Airlines signed deals with Visa and AWS to push payments, travel loyalty and AI-driven digital transformation. AI in Public Health: Ateneo researchers say AI-assisted chest X-ray reading could make TB screening more cost-effective for rural Philippines. Laos Tech & Jobs: Laos is tackling labor shortages with plans to balance supply and demand, including expanding employment services and online job support. Laos Health & Agriculture: African swine fever has reached seven provinces in Laos, with thousands of pigs lost and tighter movement controls underway. Regional Cooperation: Laos officials studied Japan’s legislative and judicial practices via a JICA-supported training for National Assembly law and justice work. ASEAN Trade Skills: The ASEAN-China Centre expands SME training across ASEAN to help firms use FTAs, customs processes and cross-border e-commerce to reach China. Internet & AI Debate: A new piece revisits how AI “apocalypse” predictions echo past internet hype, urging caution about tech doom narratives.

AI for TB screening: Ateneo researchers say AI-assisted chest X-ray interpretation could make tuberculosis detection more cost-effective in rural Philippines, where long waits for radiologists can delay care. Laos labor push: Laos is consulting partners on short- and long-term plans to ease labor shortages, with more online employment services and policy tools to better match supply and demand. ASEAN SME trade training: The ASEAN-China Centre is expanding training across ASEAN to help SMEs enter China markets, covering free trade agreements, customs steps, and cross-border e-commerce, including recent sessions in Thailand and Laos. Digital payments in Vietnam-Laos region: Vietnam Airlines signed MoUs with Visa and AWS to boost digital transformation across booking, payments, loyalty, and data-driven services—relevant for regional travel ecosystems. Scam-fighting cooperation: Cambodia’s anti-scam conference ended with pledges for stronger international coordination against tech-enabled fraud and trafficking, as job ads and AI-assisted scams keep evolving. Health security reminder: A global health security piece warns that outbreaks like measles are resurging when vaccination gaps and trust issues grow. ASF in Laos: African swine fever has reached multiple Lao provinces, with authorities tightening movement controls and surveillance as pig losses mount.

LDC Support at UN: Laos’ Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal told the UN that least developed countries need support on finance, climate justice, productive capacity and sustainable development to turn commitments into action, warning LDCs remain highly exposed to global shocks. SME Trade Skills: The ASEAN-China Centre is expanding training across ASEAN—including Laos—to help SMEs use free trade agreements, customs know-how and cross-border e-commerce to reach China markets. Laos Labor Crunch: Laos is consulting partners on short- and long-term plans to ease labor shortages, citing technology shifts, inflation and post-pandemic pressures, with a push for stronger employment services and more online job support. Health Alert—Measles: A global reminder: measles is resurging as vaccine coverage gaps widen, with missed children and weakened trust turning local outbreaks into regional risks. ASF in Laos: African swine fever has spread to seven provinces and 91 districts, with thousands of pigs lost and authorities tightening surveillance and movement controls. Digital Payments in Vietnam: Visa and AWS partnerships are set to expand Vietnam Airlines’ payments, travel and AI-driven digital transformation—relevant for regional tech and tourism ecosystems.

ASEAN–China SME Push: The ASEAN-China Centre is rolling out new training for ASEAN small and medium enterprises on using free trade agreements, customs steps, and cross-border e-commerce—this year it already ran sessions in Thailand and Laos. Global Health Security: A UN high-level meeting on Sept 25 will focus on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response as health systems face more outbreaks, environmental pressures, and tighter funding. Lao Livestock Crisis: African Swine Fever has spread across seven Lao provinces and 91 districts, with thousands of pigs lost and authorities tightening movement controls and surveillance. Lao–Japan Legal Training: Laos’ National Assembly Law and Justice Committee received practical training from JICA on Japan’s legislative and judicial practices to improve committee advisory work. Identity & Trust Tech: Vietnam plans to connect VNeID with Singapore’s Singpass and Laos’ LAeID, starting with airport pilots to speed immigration checks; meanwhile, digital ID testing and certification news highlights growing focus on fraud-resistant identity verification. Online Scam Crackdown: An international anti-scam conference in Cambodia urged stronger cross-border cooperation, tougher penalties, and action against scam masterminds and money-laundering networks. Disaster Response with AI: An ARF urban emergency search-and-rescue workshop in Nanning (co-chaired by China, Laos, Malaysia) showcased AI-enabled firefighting and rescue tech.

Digital Identity & Fraud Defense: Vietnam plans to link VNeID with Singapore’s Singpass and Laos’ LAeID, starting with airport pilots to speed cross-border checks and cut traveler costs. Regional Digital Payments: Vietnam Airlines signed MoUs with Visa and AWS to expand payments, loyalty and AI-driven passenger services. Scam Crackdown (Laos focus): Laos officials received practical training on irrigation dam safety inspection, while regional partners pushed tougher action against online scam networks, including information sharing and financial disruption. Health Security: UN leaders are set to convene a high-level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response as funding and trust gaps threaten readiness. Trade & Logistics Tech: China’s Pinglu Canal is already cutting shipping times for Laos cargo and boosting China–ASEAN connectivity. UN Diplomacy (Laos): Lao Deputy Prime Minister attended the opening of UNGA 81, with AI and trust in multilateralism highlighted. Cybersecurity & AI Risks: Commentary warns AI is making scams and cyberattacks more convincing, pushing the need for systems that assume human mistakes.

ASEAN–China Trade Boost: The newly opened Pinglu Canal (134.2 km) is cutting Laos-to-China shipping times by 5–7 days and trimming hundreds of kilometers for goods like Guangxi tea, with wider benefits for ASEAN exports into China. Lao Digital Policy Watch: Laos’ government meeting for September reviewed priority tasks and flagged digital technology, natural resources, and new laws as key agenda items. Regional Digital ID Interop: Vietnam plans to connect VNeID with Singapore’s Singpass and Laos’ LAeID, starting with airport pilots to speed immigration checks and reduce repeated declarations. Biometrics & Identity Security: ShareID says it has high-level certification for liveness detection against both presentation and injection attacks, while Login.gov adds mobile driver’s licenses for cryptographic remote verification. Scam Crackdown (Laos): Laos is stepping up cooperation with Thailand and partners to fight scam networks and money laundering linked to scam centres. UN Rights Alarm: 130 UN experts urge action against transnational repression, warning spyware, malware, and AI are used to target people across borders. AI at Expo: China–ASEAN Expo in Nanning put AI smart glasses and other AI wearables front and center, with “AI driving sales” this year.