Latest news in Laos? September 18th, 2026

Key news developments from Laos on September 18, 2026:

• Cross-Border Security & Anti-Trafficking Drills: Lao and Vietnamese security authorities held joint tactical exercises along their shared border targeting armed drug trafficking rings, aiming to tighten control over illegal supply routes and border-area crime.

  Bernama

• UXO Clearance & Safety Milestones: Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) teams reported reaching over 1.1 million people nationwide this year through safety awareness programs, while officials develop a targeted risk education framework running through 2030.

  Bernama

• Labour Warnings & Foreign Worker Policies: The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare issued fresh alerts regarding illicit overseas employment rackets targeting Lao workers, while enforcing a temporary suspension of new work permits for Bangladeshi nationals through the end of 2026 to curb unauthorized recruitment operations.

  The Business Standard

• Renewable Energy Investments: The Joint Development Bank Public Company (JDB) and Alpha Power Development signed a memorandum of understanding to finance new commercial-scale solar farm developments.

  www.vientianetimes.org.la

• Infrastructure Recovery: Transport authorities and disaster committees continue emergency repair works on critical road links damaged by recent monsoon-triggered landslides and flash floods, notably along National Road 13 North and routes in Bolikhamxay.

  www.vientianetimes.org.la