MGIMO International

🇱🇦 MGIMO Graduate Appointed Prime Minister of Laos Saleumxay Kommasith, graduate of MGIMO's School of International Relations, class of '92, was appointed Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on 5 October — all 158 members of the National Assembly present voted in favour of his candidacy. ⏩ Saleumxay Kommasith was born in 1968 in Houaphanh Province in northeastern Laos. In 1986, he came to the USSR and enrolled at MGIMO's School of International Relations. In addition to his native Lao, he speaks Russian, English and French. Diplomacy is a significant part of his career: Saleumxay Kommasith worked at the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed its Department of International Organizations, and served as his country's Permanent Representative to the UN and as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. 🏷 In 2016, Saleumxay Kommasith was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos, and in 2022, while remaining minister, he also became Deputy Prime Minister. He headed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs until 2024, after which he took the position of Permanent Deputy Prime Minister in the Lao Government. 🇷🇺 Saleumxay Kommasith's ties with Russia go beyond his studies at MGIMO. As Foreign Minister, he met repeatedly with Sergey Lavrov, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and was actively involved in developing relations between Moscow and Vientiane — in 2021, he was awarded the Russian Order of Friendship for his contribution to strengthening the strategic partnership. ⏩ He has also maintained his connection with his alma mater: in 2025, Saleumxay Kommasith led a Lao delegation to MGIMO — on that occasion, the University was awarded the Lao Order of Friendship. Congratulations to the MGIMO graduate on the new high appointment! 🌐 MGIMO International (ENG) / МГИМО для иностранцев (RUS)