From 8 to 11 October, Vientiane welcomed United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Throughout his visit and during the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits, Blinken reaffirmed the US commitment to strengthening ties with Laos. He highlighted key areas such as economic cooperation, the advancement of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, and addressing pressing geopolitical challenges, including the Myanmar crisis, disputes in the South China Sea, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Representing President Joe Biden, Blinken’s visit also emphasized two critical priorities: developing human capacity through skills training and continuing the work of clearing unexploded ordnance (UXO) from past conflicts.
During a press conference in Vientiane on 10 October , Blinken spoke about the evolution of the US-Lao comprehensive partnership, which was first established in 2016.
He also highlighted the shared responsibility of both nations to update and strengthen their collaboration to meet the needs of the Lao people.
“Our countries have been partners for some time,” Blinken said. “But the comprehensive partnership that we established in 2016 guides the relationship. What we’re doing is constantly working to update it, strengthen it, and make sure that it’s addressing the needs of people. That’s our responsibility.”
A significant part of this responsibility, Blinken noted, is helping to build human capacity in Laos, particularly among the country’s youth. He emphasized the importance of equipping young people with the skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly global economy.
The US aims to support Laos through initiatives focused on upskilling and reskilling, which Blinken said would become “increasingly central” to the partnership.
The US-Lao partnership also extends to the pressing issue of unexploded ordnance (UXO), a deadly legacy of the Vietnam War era that continues to threaten lives in Laos.
Blinken reiterated the US’s long-standing commitment to UXO clearance, stating, “In terms of the unexploded ordnance, this is an ongoing imperative, and something that we’re deeply committed to.”
According to the US Secretary of State, since 1993, the US has provided nearly USD 400 million to help Laos remove unexploded ordnance. Blinken pointed out that this funding has allowed for significant progress, reducing the number of injuries and fatalities caused by UXO.
However, he stressed that the work is far from over.
“This is an ongoing necessity and an ongoing responsibility that we take very seriously.”
Beyond these key areas, Blinken highlighted broader regional issues and US-ASEAN cooperation. He praised Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone for Laos’s leadership of ASEAN and underlined the significance of the Indo-Pacific to America’s future.
“I’ve now taken 20 trips to the Indo-Pacific in this job, and I’ve gone to eight of the 10 ASEAN countries. I’m here in Laos because, as President Biden often says, so much of our future will be written in the Indo-Pacific,” he remarked.
Economic ties were also at the forefront of Blinken’s visit. He pointed out that the US remains ASEAN’s top provider of foreign direct investment and emphasized the importance of continued economic collaboration. Notably, the US is working to modernize the region’s trade infrastructure through the ASEAN Single Window initiative, which has already saved USD 6.5 billion by streamlining trade processes.
Technology and education were additional areas of focus. Blinken discussed US support for building digital skills in ASEAN countries and the creation of an online education platform to equip people with knowledge in fields like science, technology, and entrepreneurship. He also announced a US-ASEAN leader statement on artificial intelligence, aimed at fostering safe, secure, and trustworthy AI development.
Geopolitical tensions, including the South China Sea dispute, Myanmar’s crisis, and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, were also central to Blinken’s discussions.
He reiterated the US’s firm stance on maintaining freedom of navigation in the South and East China Seas and the need for peace across the Taiwan Strait. Addressing Myanmar’s situation, Blinken called for a peaceful and inclusive resolution. He also reaffirmed US support for Ukraine, advocating for sovereignty and territorial integrity against external aggression.
The US’s commitment to education and cultural exchanges between ASEAN and the US was underscored with the expansion of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) and the ASEAN Fulbright program. “We now have a remarkable partnership that involves over 160,000 young people,” Blinken said, emphasizing the importance of investing in the next generation of leaders.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/US-Lao-Ties-in-Focus-Blinken-Addresses-Global-Issues-UXO-Clearance.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2024-12-02 10:11:002024-11-01 10:12:36US-Lao Ties in Focus: Blinken Addresses Global Issues, UXO Clearance
To address smoking-related issues and ensure the health and safety of citizens in Laos, Vientiane Capital is launching a competition among its nine districts. While the details of the competition are yet to be disclosed, the winning district will have the chance to participate in the Smoke-Free ASEAN City program in 2026, according to the Department of Health.
This initiative was announced on 23 October, where officials discussed strategies to enhance smoke-free spaces within the capital to qualify for a Smoke-Free Zone award.
During the meeting, officials from the Department of Health acknowledged the challenge of achieving this goal independently and emphasized the necessity for collaboration from the community at large. To promote this objective, the department devised a competition among the nine districts, each of which must establish smoke-free areas in workplaces and public spaces.
Although the competition’s participation criteria and scoring system were discussed, details have not yet been disclosed.
Deputy Governor of Vientiane Capital, Phouvong Vongkhamsao, highlighted the persistent issue of smoking in Laos and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring safety for non-smokers, particularly women and children. He stated that it is crucial to protect vulnerable populations from the dangers of second-hand smoke.
The deputy governor also noted that creating smoke-free environments aligns with the International Convention on Tobacco Control, to which Laos has been a signatory since 2006.
The Ministry of Health reported in 2022 that Laos experiences approximately 7,000 deaths annually due to smoking-related illnesses, which equates to about 19 deaths per day. This figure includes non-smokers who are affected by secondhand smoke.
Through this competition, Vientiane Capital hopes to promote public health and achieve its goal of becoming a smoke-free city by 2026.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/smoking.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2024-12-01 10:59:002024-11-01 11:00:59Vientiane Capital Launches District Competition for Smoke-Free ASEAN City 2026
A delegation of nine Lao high school students and one supervisor are headed to Tokyo and Fukushima, Japan to participate in the ASEAN-Japan Sports x SDGs Exchange from 28 October to 4 November, as part of the JENESYS program.
Supported by the Government of Japan, the regional exchange program aims to improve human ties between Southeast Asia nations and Japan through the exchange of views as well as sports and cultural exchanges between members of the young generation.
The nine Lao students were selected in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Sports of Laos. Lao participants, together with those from other Southeast Asia countries, will attend a joint practice of football at the J Village, National Training Centre in Fukushima Prefecture, as well as an exchange with local high school students and football team.
In addition, these young people from Laos and the Southeast Asia countries can learn more about SDGs through attending interactive lectures, experiences, and exchanges while deepening their understanding of Japanese culture and society.
They are also expected to share their own experiences, learnings, and insights with wider audiences by utilizing tools including social networking services (SNS) during their stay in Japan and after returning home to Laos.
A youth-focused people-to-people exchange program between Japan and the Asia-Pacific region, JENESYS stands for Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths. More than 2,300 Lao young people have been to Japan for such exchanges since JENESYS’ establishment in 2007.
It is expected that these exchanges will continue to promote mutual trust and understanding among the younger generations to build strong foundations for long-term friendship and cooperation between Japan and Laos.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Jenesys-2024.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2024-11-30 10:57:092024-11-01 10:58:46Lao Students Head to Japan for Sports, Sustainability Exchange
US-Lao Ties in Focus: Blinken Addresses Global Issues, UXO Clearance
From 8 to 11 October, Vientiane welcomed United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Throughout his visit and during the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits, Blinken reaffirmed the US commitment to strengthening ties with Laos. He highlighted key areas such as economic cooperation, the advancement of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, and addressing pressing geopolitical challenges, including the Myanmar crisis, disputes in the South China Sea, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Representing President Joe Biden, Blinken’s visit also emphasized two critical priorities: developing human capacity through skills training and continuing the work of clearing unexploded ordnance (UXO) from past conflicts.
During a press conference in Vientiane on 10 October , Blinken spoke about the evolution of the US-Lao comprehensive partnership, which was first established in 2016.
He also highlighted the shared responsibility of both nations to update and strengthen their collaboration to meet the needs of the Lao people.
“Our countries have been partners for some time,” Blinken said. “But the comprehensive partnership that we established in 2016 guides the relationship. What we’re doing is constantly working to update it, strengthen it, and make sure that it’s addressing the needs of people. That’s our responsibility.”
A significant part of this responsibility, Blinken noted, is helping to build human capacity in Laos, particularly among the country’s youth. He emphasized the importance of equipping young people with the skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly global economy.
The US aims to support Laos through initiatives focused on upskilling and reskilling, which Blinken said would become “increasingly central” to the partnership.
The US-Lao partnership also extends to the pressing issue of unexploded ordnance (UXO), a deadly legacy of the Vietnam War era that continues to threaten lives in Laos.
Blinken reiterated the US’s long-standing commitment to UXO clearance, stating, “In terms of the unexploded ordnance, this is an ongoing imperative, and something that we’re deeply committed to.”
According to the US Secretary of State, since 1993, the US has provided nearly USD 400 million to help Laos remove unexploded ordnance. Blinken pointed out that this funding has allowed for significant progress, reducing the number of injuries and fatalities caused by UXO.
However, he stressed that the work is far from over.
“This is an ongoing necessity and an ongoing responsibility that we take very seriously.”
Beyond these key areas, Blinken highlighted broader regional issues and US-ASEAN cooperation. He praised Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone for Laos’s leadership of ASEAN and underlined the significance of the Indo-Pacific to America’s future.
“I’ve now taken 20 trips to the Indo-Pacific in this job, and I’ve gone to eight of the 10 ASEAN countries. I’m here in Laos because, as President Biden often says, so much of our future will be written in the Indo-Pacific,” he remarked.
Economic ties were also at the forefront of Blinken’s visit. He pointed out that the US remains ASEAN’s top provider of foreign direct investment and emphasized the importance of continued economic collaboration. Notably, the US is working to modernize the region’s trade infrastructure through the ASEAN Single Window initiative, which has already saved USD 6.5 billion by streamlining trade processes.
Technology and education were additional areas of focus. Blinken discussed US support for building digital skills in ASEAN countries and the creation of an online education platform to equip people with knowledge in fields like science, technology, and entrepreneurship. He also announced a US-ASEAN leader statement on artificial intelligence, aimed at fostering safe, secure, and trustworthy AI development.
Geopolitical tensions, including the South China Sea dispute, Myanmar’s crisis, and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, were also central to Blinken’s discussions.
He reiterated the US’s firm stance on maintaining freedom of navigation in the South and East China Seas and the need for peace across the Taiwan Strait. Addressing Myanmar’s situation, Blinken called for a peaceful and inclusive resolution. He also reaffirmed US support for Ukraine, advocating for sovereignty and territorial integrity against external aggression.
The US’s commitment to education and cultural exchanges between ASEAN and the US was underscored with the expansion of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) and the ASEAN Fulbright program. “We now have a remarkable partnership that involves over 160,000 young people,” Blinken said, emphasizing the importance of investing in the next generation of leaders.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/10/12/us-lao-ties-in-focus-blinken-addresses-global-issues-uxo-clearance/
Vientiane Capital Launches District Competition for Smoke-Free ASEAN City 2026
To address smoking-related issues and ensure the health and safety of citizens in Laos, Vientiane Capital is launching a competition among its nine districts. While the details of the competition are yet to be disclosed, the winning district will have the chance to participate in the Smoke-Free ASEAN City program in 2026, according to the Department of Health.
This initiative was announced on 23 October, where officials discussed strategies to enhance smoke-free spaces within the capital to qualify for a Smoke-Free Zone award.
During the meeting, officials from the Department of Health acknowledged the challenge of achieving this goal independently and emphasized the necessity for collaboration from the community at large. To promote this objective, the department devised a competition among the nine districts, each of which must establish smoke-free areas in workplaces and public spaces.
Although the competition’s participation criteria and scoring system were discussed, details have not yet been disclosed.
Deputy Governor of Vientiane Capital, Phouvong Vongkhamsao, highlighted the persistent issue of smoking in Laos and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring safety for non-smokers, particularly women and children. He stated that it is crucial to protect vulnerable populations from the dangers of second-hand smoke.
The deputy governor also noted that creating smoke-free environments aligns with the International Convention on Tobacco Control, to which Laos has been a signatory since 2006.
The Ministry of Health reported in 2022 that Laos experiences approximately 7,000 deaths annually due to smoking-related illnesses, which equates to about 19 deaths per day. This figure includes non-smokers who are affected by secondhand smoke.
Through this competition, Vientiane Capital hopes to promote public health and achieve its goal of becoming a smoke-free city by 2026.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/10/28/vientiane-capital-launches-district-competition-for-smoke-free-asean-city-2026/
Lao Students Head to Japan for Sports, Sustainability Exchange
A delegation of nine Lao high school students and one supervisor are headed to Tokyo and Fukushima, Japan to participate in the ASEAN-Japan Sports x SDGs Exchange from 28 October to 4 November, as part of the JENESYS program.
Supported by the Government of Japan, the regional exchange program aims to improve human ties between Southeast Asia nations and Japan through the exchange of views as well as sports and cultural exchanges between members of the young generation.
The nine Lao students were selected in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Sports of Laos. Lao participants, together with those from other Southeast Asia countries, will attend a joint practice of football at the J Village, National Training Centre in Fukushima Prefecture, as well as an exchange with local high school students and football team.
In addition, these young people from Laos and the Southeast Asia countries can learn more about SDGs through attending interactive lectures, experiences, and exchanges while deepening their understanding of Japanese culture and society.
They are also expected to share their own experiences, learnings, and insights with wider audiences by utilizing tools including social networking services (SNS) during their stay in Japan and after returning home to Laos.
A youth-focused people-to-people exchange program between Japan and the Asia-Pacific region, JENESYS stands for Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths. More than 2,300 Lao young people have been to Japan for such exchanges since JENESYS’ establishment in 2007.
It is expected that these exchanges will continue to promote mutual trust and understanding among the younger generations to build strong foundations for long-term friendship and cooperation between Japan and Laos.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/10/28/lao-students-head-to-japan-for-sports-sustainability-exchange/