Digital Transformation Push: Laos’ Ministry of Technology and Communications, with UNDP, launched a project to speed up national digital transformation, tackling fragmented systems, weak connectivity and limited data sharing via stronger ministry coordination and a centralized digital government roadmap. Education for Inclusion: MoES and Australia’s BEQUAL program began producing Teacher Development Video 29, focused on helping primary teachers identify and support students with disabilities, paired with Teacher Support Pack 14. Rural Development Agenda: Laos is drafting a National Agenda for Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation, aiming for coordinated implementation and measurable targets before submission to the National Assembly. Cybercrime Alarm: Interpol reports a sharp rise in cybercrimes and scams across Asia, with online fraud making up about a third of recorded crimes in surveyed countries and often using phishing and AI-enabled social engineering. Mekong Water Safety: Laos is among countries facing heightened risks from a “toxic time bomb” narrative around arsenic contamination in the Mekong basin, with calls for urgent action to protect communities and livelihoods. Cross-Border Tech & Energy: Laos and Russia signed an agreement on peaceful nuclear energy cooperation, while China’s Windey signed a deal to supply wind turbines for a Laos-to-China renewable power project. Human Capital: China will provide 3,000 scholarships and training opportunities for Lao students and professionals through 2028+, including digital learning and AI-focused capacity building.