He is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongloun Sisoulith; Deputy PM Somsavat Lengsavad, who is also Chairman of the Laos-Vietnam Co-operation Sub-Committee; Minister of Education and Sports Phankham Viphavanh; Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Bosengkham Vongdara; Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Office Phongsavat Boupha; Minister of the Interior Khampane Philavong; Minister of Post and Telecommunications Hiem Phommachanh; Deputy Minister of Defence Chansamon Channhalat; Deputy Minister of National Security Somkeo Silavong; and Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Somphon Sichalon.
President Choummaly was born on 6 March 1936 in Attapu, Laos. He joined the LPRP in 1955, becoming a Politburo member in 1991. He served as Minister of Defence between 1991 and 2001 and Vice President from 2001 to 2006, before becoming LPRP General Secretary and President in 2006. He was re-elected as General Secretary in March and President of Laos in June 2011.
