Lao Social Security Organization (SSO) plays a significant role in ASSA (ASEAN Social Security Association).

  Between 3 to 6 September, 2006 Lao Social Security Organization’s delegation leaded by Mr. Khampouang INTHASENG, General Director of the organization went to join the 18th ASSA meeting held in Penang, Malaysia. Mr. Khampouang INTHASENG has been an ASSA’s chairman and Mr. Padeumphone SONTHANY, Deputy Director of SSO has been the Secretary General of ASSA since the end of 2005. Because of obtaining the key positions, the significant role of Lao SSO is lifted up in ASEAN region as well as on the international stage. Throughout the one-year period of ASSA management, SSO has achieved success in its administrative duties and responsibilities.

In accordance with ASSA’s rules, the name of the ASSA’s member countries are listed and sorted in the alphabetical order in which the member countries will exchange to chair ASSA. Typically, the ASSA meeting is organized twice a year. The chaired country will be in charge of ASSA’s management and cooperation with each other among the member countries. These activities have been carried out for a year.

In the meeting, Mr. Khamphouang INTHASENG, current chairman of ASSA hands the position of chairman over to Mr. Datuk Azlan zainol, General Director of Employees Provident Fund of Malaysia, who is a new chairman of ASSA. At the same time, Mr. Padeumphone SONTHANY, Deputy Director of SSO passes the position of Secretary General on to Mr. Ibrahim Taib, a senior officer of Employees Provident Fund of Malaysia, who continues to hold the position.

In addition, the delegation from the member countries take this opportunity to exchange the information with each other and, to review the coordination and cooperation between the ASSA’s members. The representatives from three member countries present their good practices and valuable experiences of social security to the conference participants. Apart from these activities, several critical issues concerning with human resource development in the member countries of ASSA are also discussed in the meeting.

Moreover, a one-day technical seminar on the increased trends of aged population in ASEAN’s countries, the funds for sickness benefits, the reform of social security schemes in every corner of the world and other general issues was organized. This technical seminar was given by the invited presenters.