World Bank shrugs off responsibility for hydro project in Laos
In January, the World Bank announced in a statement that the Nam Theun 2 Environmental and Social and Project had closed on December 31. The ESP, a component of the US$1.3 billion Nam Theun 2 Hydropower Project in central Laos, was established in 2005 to ...
Switzerland supports agriculture and forest college reform in Laos
The Swiss government has provided US$4.2 million for the third phase of the Support to the Reform of the Agriculture and Forestry Colleges project in Laos. The overall goal of SURAFCO is to strengthen the quality and practical teaching in all five Agriculture and Forestry ...
Revenue collection, timber auction dominate Govt meeting
Implementation of the revenue collection and expenditure plan, the auction of wood impounded by the government, and the upgrade of wood processing plants dominated the monthly government meeting on March 15. Other hot topics tabled at the two-day meeting included the export of wood, a ...
Laos, Cambodia enhance longstanding relationship
Laos and Cambodia plan to continue to foster their deep, longstanding and traditional friendship, relations and solidarity. The two countries’ leaders made their intentions clear during a two-day state visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia by President Bounnhang Vorachit. President Bounnhang visited Cambodia from February ...
Mekong water levels remain at safe heights
Mekong water levels in central and southern provinces are still lower than warning levels despite heavy rain that struck the region this month. The water level of the Mekong in Vientiane on August 23 was about 10.30 m which decreased from 11 m on August 22 and was ...
Party, State leader lauds joint work between Vietnamese, Lao fronts
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee and President Nguyễn Phú Trọng has lauded co-operation between the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) and the Việt Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) over the years. During a reception in Vientiane yesterday with Politburo member ...
JICA grants 32b kip for clean agriculture development
The Japan International Cooperation Agency has granted more than 32 billion kip (US$4 million) to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to carry out a brand new clean agriculture development project.The project purposes the supply of clean agriculture (CA) products, which includes organic agriculture and ...
MRC supports Lao green growth initiative
The Mekong River Commission (MRC) has expressed strong support for Laos over its green growth strategy, adding that the inter-governmental organisation is ready to share its resources to ensure this initiative is sustainable. “Green growth is obviously a pathway to sustainable development and I’m pleased to ...
Developers Press Ahead With Dams, Despite Lao Order to Halt New Hydropower Projects
Developers of two proposed hydropower projects in Laos are pressing ahead with plans to build the mega-dams on the Mekong River, despite a recent order by the government to halt new dam investments following a deadly breach in July that killed 35 people and displaced ...
Japan contributes to mechanised UXO clearance in XiengKhuang
According to the Japanese Embassy in Vientiane on August 18 the Japan government has provided grant assistance worth over US$570,662 for Mechanical Cluster Submunition Clearance in Xieng Khuang province. This project will accelerate UXO clearance with a Cluster Submunition Clearance Machine which cuts bush around a site ...
Disabled people struggle to get education, jobs: workshop
Various barriers still hinder the development of people with disabilities, particularly those living in rural areas and who lack access to education, vocational training, and employment. This was the message delivered on September 20 by Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Prof. Dr Khamkeo Sanbounkhounxay, when ...
Mekong Countries Urged to Take Action as River Experiences Three Years of Low Flows
The Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat has renewed its call for the six Mekong countries to urgently address regional low flows, water fluctuations and drought as the Lower Mekong River experiences record low flows for the third consecutive year. During the last three years, flows in ...
Latsamy Phonevilay
Laos extends support for MIA activities
Lao-American cooperation in locating the remains of American service personnel missing in Laos during the Indochina War has been underway in Khammuan province, with valuable contributions by all parties involved. Exploration teams from Laos and the United States reported on their activities to Deputy Minister ...
Focal points meeting aims to improve SDGs coordination
Some 50 officials from 22 relevant sectors met in Vientiane to discuss coordinating mechanisms for improvement and to review the previous implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in each sector. The first meeting to examine SDGs focal points took place on March 14 and was co-chaired ...
Govt, Microsoft to accelerate digital transformation
Software giant Microsoft has underscored its commitment to empowering every person and every business in Laos. The initiative is in line with Microsoft’s National Empowerment Plan, which aims to advance the adoption of emerging technologies for sustainable development. Another objective is to generate new business ...
NA supports enactment of law on international treaties
National Assembly members have supported the enactment of the Law on Treaties and International Agreements, which would be a reference for future internal and external cooperation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs introduced the newly drafted law for consideration by the National Assembly, with the law tabled ...
A look inside Xayaburi dam
The Xayaburi dam, with installed capacity of 1,260 MW, is the first one among 12 mainstream dams on the Mekong river. Located approximately 30 kilometers east of Xayaburi district, in northern Laos, this $3.2 billion dam is a controversial case: while Laos and dam-developers are ...
Xamtay to Vietnam road construction expects delays
Construction of a new road connecting Xamtay district in Huaphan province to Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam will not be finished according to plans, say officials of the project. Head of the District’s Public Works and Transport Office, Mr Soukaseum Sonesavat, telephone interviewed by Vientiane ...
U.S. Imposes Visa Sanctions on Myanmar and Laos Over Their Refusal to Accept Deportees
The U.S. imposed visa sanctions on Myanmar and Laos Tuesday after the nations refused to take back immigrants Washington wants to deport. The two Southeast Asian nations join the running list of countries which have delayed or declined to accept nationals slated for expulsion from ...
Phou Kout Mountain to be major Xieng Khuang tourism attraction
Authorities in Xieng Khuang province are developing the historical site at Phou Kout Mountain as a tourist attraction in the province aside from the well-known Plain of Jars. An official from the province’s Department of Information, Culture and Tourism revealed the project to Vientiane Times ...