VIENTIANE, June 9 (Xinhua) Progress on rural development, poverty-reduction, managed urbanization and infrastructure development efforts in Laos were focus areas as national leaders and representatives of peak socio-political and civil organizations gathered Thursday for the second and final day of the country's 10th National Meeting of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) in the Lao capital.

The five-yearly meeting opened Wednesday in Vientiane in the presence of the country's ruling Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Secretary-General and Lao President Bounnhang Vorachit, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, National Assembly President Ms Pany Yathotou, Politburo members, LPRP Secretariat members, and representatives from civil mass organizations and invited guests.

In his address to more than 460 delegates Wednesday, LFNC Acting President Khambai Damlath highlighted the active role of the LFNC in enhancing solidarity among Lao multi-ethnic people, encouraging rural communities to explore commercial production and promote food security as well as creating a fundamental basis for the developing country's industrialization and modernization.

Khambay highlighted efforts to further LPRP and state policies, especially those on rural development, poverty-reduction, the turning of large villages into small cities in rural areas, and the development of basic infrastructure, Lao News Agency KPL reported.

Organized at local, district, provincial and central levels, the LFNC brings together representatives from social organizations including trade, women's and youth unions to address the country's policy implementation efforts under the leadership of the LPRP.

The first congress of the LFNC was held in 1979 following the establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in 1975.