From March 12–14, 2025, the Lao National Assembly, in partnership with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF), hosted a significant meeting in Vientiane. Co-chaired by the Lao National Assembly and APF, the event brought together 11 parliamentary delegations, the APF Secretariat, and the Parliamentary Centre of Asia (PCASIA) to explore the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in parliamentary operations.

Vice President of the Lao National Assembly, Ms. Sounthone Xayachack, opened the discussions by addressing global challenges impacting socio-economic development. She emphasized the importance of APF members in advocating for the rights, interests, and aspirations of citizens while promoting democracy and international cooperation. The key areas of focus during the meeting were the application of digital tools in legislative work, policy assessment, and strategies to combat misinformation. Participants exchanged best practices on using AI to improve legislative efficiency, enhance decision-making, and ensure transparency in parliamentary processes.

This annual APF meeting continues to be a critical platform for parliamentarians to collaborate and enhance regional and global governance efforts.