On 5 August, the Lao-China Railway awarded driver certificates to 14 Lao nationals who successfully completed a self-driven test. This certification ceremony marks the first time Lao citizens have received this recognition.
The journey to certification began in June 2022, with an initial cohort of 66 participants undergoing extensive theoretical and practical training to become certified railway staff.
By late 2023, a selection process narrowed the group to 30 drivers, who were tasked with operating trains over a combined distance exceeding 100,000 kilometers.
Ultimately, only 14 drivers demonstrated exceptional performance, earning them the official certificates jointly issued by the Lao-China Railway and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.
To celebrate the occasion, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Transport, Xaysongkham Manothin, praised the newly certified drivers, noting that their achievement reflects the successful partnership between Laos and China in training skilled railway professionals.
Looking ahead, Liu Hong, Director General of the Laos-China Railway, outlined plans to develop more Lao experts in railway operations, enhance the railway system’s quality, and improve people’s lives.
To do so, Liu Hong explained that the railway will hold more workshops and training programs for Lao workers, focusing on key job roles, developing specialized skills, and refining the training system to create the first generation of Lao executives and technicians in railway operations.
Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has announced plans to establish a new digital national database for citizen registration and identity card issuance, to enhance national security, governance, and administrative efficiency by streamlining the registration process.
During a meeting on 2 August, PM Sonexay emphasized the importance of the civil registration process and urged relevant authorities to take full responsibility for its implementation.
Under the PM’s instruction, The Ministry of Home Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Security, must ensure that the digitization of citizenship records is legally compliant and technically robust.
The Ministry of Public Security has been directed to refine relevant legislation, train personnel, develop software, and fully prepare for the digitalized registration of citizens. The ministry will also lead the efforts to build the necessary infrastructure, support the sectors involved at both central and provincial levels, and closely monitor the progress.
Furthermore, PM Sonexay instructed the authorities to write reports, collect statistics, and record the progress in citizen registration on a daily, weekly, monthly, semi-annual, and annual basis. This data will be compiled and reported to the government by the Ministry of Public Security.
Both ministries are also responsible for overseeing the registration of Lao citizens, foreigners, and stateless individuals authorized to reside in Laos, with strict measures to be enforced against those who do not comply with the registration process.
According to the prime minister, the project serves as a top government priority, highlighting the necessity for ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and reporting to ensure its success.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Laos-to-Digitize-Citizenship-Records-Prime-Minister-Says.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2024-08-29 04:51:002024-08-09 16:53:49Laos to Digitize Citizenship Records, Prime Minister Says
On 1 August, the Ambassador of Japan, Tsutomu Koizumi hosted a reception at his residence in Vientiane Capital for students and senior fellows of the “Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship by Japanese Grant Aid (JDS)” and the “Young Leaders Program (YLP).”
The reception aimed to congratulate and encourage the students traveling to Japan, wishing them success in their academic and career development. The Japanese government funds these students through the JDS and YLP programs.
Open to Lao government officials engaged in socio-economic development, the JDS program grants scholarships for two-year master’s degrees and three-year doctoral degrees in Japan. Since its inception in 1999, more than 500 Lao officials have received JDS scholarships.
The YLP program, which began in 2001, aims to foster junior government officials into future national leaders. It offers one-year scholarships for master’s degrees in five fields: government, local governance, business administration, law, and healthcare administration. Around 70 Lao government officials have benefited from the YLP program.
At the reception, Ambassador Koizumi congratulated the departing students and encouraged them to seize the opportunity to develop themselves while studying in Japan.
“This year, Laos plays an essential role as the ASEAN chair. Next year, 2025, will mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership between Japan and Laos. At such an important juncture, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kamikawa Yoko, and Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Saleumsay Kommasith, agreed last week to elevate this partnership to new heights,” Ambassador Koizumi said.
“I hope you will share with the Lao people the charms of Japan after completing your study program, and make the best use of the knowledge and experience acquired in Japan to serve as a bridge between our two countries in your future careers,” he continued.
On behalf of the departing students, Bounsy Sizanone, an official from the Ministry of Public Security who will study drug trafficking prevention at Kyushu University, and Sengdavy Xaypadith, an official from the Ministry of Health who will study at Nagoya University, expressed their appreciation to the Government of Japan and reaffirmed their strong commitment to academic achievement.
The reception was attended by numerous Lao government officials, including Phout Simmalavong, Minister of Education and Sports and President of the Lao-Japan Friendship Association, and Bounfeng Phounmmalaysith, Minister of Health. Also present were Vice Ministers, Director Generals, Deputy Director Generals, senior fellows, and other successful graduates from Japanese universities under these programs.
First Lao Nationals Certified as Train Drivers by Lao-China Railway
On 5 August, the Lao-China Railway awarded driver certificates to 14 Lao nationals who successfully completed a self-driven test. This certification ceremony marks the first time Lao citizens have received this recognition.
The journey to certification began in June 2022, with an initial cohort of 66 participants undergoing extensive theoretical and practical training to become certified railway staff.
By late 2023, a selection process narrowed the group to 30 drivers, who were tasked with operating trains over a combined distance exceeding 100,000 kilometers.
Ultimately, only 14 drivers demonstrated exceptional performance, earning them the official certificates jointly issued by the Lao-China Railway and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.
To celebrate the occasion, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Transport, Xaysongkham Manothin, praised the newly certified drivers, noting that their achievement reflects the successful partnership between Laos and China in training skilled railway professionals.
Looking ahead, Liu Hong, Director General of the Laos-China Railway, outlined plans to develop more Lao experts in railway operations, enhance the railway system’s quality, and improve people’s lives.
To do so, Liu Hong explained that the railway will hold more workshops and training programs for Lao workers, focusing on key job roles, developing specialized skills, and refining the training system to create the first generation of Lao executives and technicians in railway operations.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/08/06/first-lao-nationals-certified-as-train-drivers-by-lao-china-railway/
Laos to Digitize Citizenship Records, Prime Minister Says
Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has announced plans to establish a new digital national database for citizen registration and identity card issuance, to enhance national security, governance, and administrative efficiency by streamlining the registration process.
During a meeting on 2 August, PM Sonexay emphasized the importance of the civil registration process and urged relevant authorities to take full responsibility for its implementation.
Under the PM’s instruction, The Ministry of Home Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Security, must ensure that the digitization of citizenship records is legally compliant and technically robust.
The Ministry of Public Security has been directed to refine relevant legislation, train personnel, develop software, and fully prepare for the digitalized registration of citizens. The ministry will also lead the efforts to build the necessary infrastructure, support the sectors involved at both central and provincial levels, and closely monitor the progress.
Furthermore, PM Sonexay instructed the authorities to write reports, collect statistics, and record the progress in citizen registration on a daily, weekly, monthly, semi-annual, and annual basis. This data will be compiled and reported to the government by the Ministry of Public Security.
Both ministries are also responsible for overseeing the registration of Lao citizens, foreigners, and stateless individuals authorized to reside in Laos, with strict measures to be enforced against those who do not comply with the registration process.
According to the prime minister, the project serves as a top government priority, highlighting the necessity for ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and reporting to ensure its success.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/08/05/laos-to-digitize-citizenship-records-prime-minister-says/
Japanese Ambassador Celebrates Lao Scholars Heading to Japan
On 1 August, the Ambassador of Japan, Tsutomu Koizumi hosted a reception at his residence in Vientiane Capital for students and senior fellows of the “Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship by Japanese Grant Aid (JDS)” and the “Young Leaders Program (YLP).”
The reception aimed to congratulate and encourage the students traveling to Japan, wishing them success in their academic and career development. The Japanese government funds these students through the JDS and YLP programs.
Open to Lao government officials engaged in socio-economic development, the JDS program grants scholarships for two-year master’s degrees and three-year doctoral degrees in Japan. Since its inception in 1999, more than 500 Lao officials have received JDS scholarships.
The YLP program, which began in 2001, aims to foster junior government officials into future national leaders. It offers one-year scholarships for master’s degrees in five fields: government, local governance, business administration, law, and healthcare administration. Around 70 Lao government officials have benefited from the YLP program.
At the reception, Ambassador Koizumi congratulated the departing students and encouraged them to seize the opportunity to develop themselves while studying in Japan.
“This year, Laos plays an essential role as the ASEAN chair. Next year, 2025, will mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership between Japan and Laos. At such an important juncture, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kamikawa Yoko, and Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Saleumsay Kommasith, agreed last week to elevate this partnership to new heights,” Ambassador Koizumi said.
“I hope you will share with the Lao people the charms of Japan after completing your study program, and make the best use of the knowledge and experience acquired in Japan to serve as a bridge between our two countries in your future careers,” he continued.
On behalf of the departing students, Bounsy Sizanone, an official from the Ministry of Public Security who will study drug trafficking prevention at Kyushu University, and Sengdavy Xaypadith, an official from the Ministry of Health who will study at Nagoya University, expressed their appreciation to the Government of Japan and reaffirmed their strong commitment to academic achievement.
The reception was attended by numerous Lao government officials, including Phout Simmalavong, Minister of Education and Sports and President of the Lao-Japan Friendship Association, and Bounfeng Phounmmalaysith, Minister of Health. Also present were Vice Ministers, Director Generals, Deputy Director Generals, senior fellows, and other successful graduates from Japanese universities under these programs.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/08/05/japanese-ambassador-celebrates-lao-scholars-heading-to-japan/