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Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on 9 May in Moscow during his visit to Russia from 7 to 11 May. The leaders praised the strong and growing relationship between their countries and reaffirmed their commitment to enhance cooperation, particularly in trade, defense, and cultural exchange.

President Thongloun highlighted the successful implementation of the Treaty on Amity signed three decades ago, stating that the current period favors the further development of bilateral relations and friendship. He proposed continued cooperation and the implementation of various proposals to deepen ties.

Putin acknowledged the recent 12-percent growth in two-way trade and economic relations. He also mentioned the expansion of defense and security cooperation and expressed gratitude for Laos’ support of Russian language studies.

During his visit, Thongloun also attended the Victory Day parade in Moscow, marking the 79th anniversary of the Great Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The Russian president thanked Laos for providing T-34 tanks to Russia, which he described as symbols of victory.
Putin emphasized that fostering a strategic partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a key foreign policy priority for Russia.

In addition to meeting with Vladimir Putin, President Thongloun held talks with Dmitry Medvedev, Chairman of the United Russia Political Party to further strengthen ties between the two countries.

The meeting between the two presidents marks a significant milestone in the 30-year friendship between Laos and Russia. Both leaders expressed optimism about the future of their relationship and the continued growth of cooperation in various fields.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/05/13/lao-russian-presidents-celebrate-30-years-of-friendship-in-moscow/

Laos, like many developing nations, faces challenges in maintaining its road networks, which are crucial for transportation and connectivity. Recognizing the importance of well-maintained roads for Laos’ development, Japan has stepped forward with a commitment to assist in overcoming this challenge.

As part of this pledge, Japan will provide 24 units of essential road repair equipment, comprising road stabilizers and motor graders, to the Lao government.

The equipment, valued at 800 million yen (approximately USD 5.3 million), will be deployed nationwide to facilitate road repairs. This assistance comes as part of a broader aid package, with Japan committing 1.5 billion yen (approximately USD 10 million) in new aid signed on 26 April.

Photo supplied.

A ceremony was held in Vientiane on 9 May for the handover of the “Economic and Social Development Program (Road Repair Related Equipment).” Japanese Ambassador Kobayashi Kenichi presided over the event.

Traditionally, road repair in Laos involved removing pavement sections and laying new pavement after waste disposal. However, with the introduction of new support equipment, old pavement can now be reused as new pavement material during road construction.

These efforts are expected to extend the service life of roads, shorten construction periods, reduce costs, minimize environmental impact by reducing road waste, and expedite recovery from disasters.

Japan has been a key partner in Laos’ infrastructure development journey, supporting projects such as the Second Mekong International Bridge, Pakse Bridge, National Road No. 9, and Vientiane National Road No. 1. These initiatives not only enhance comfort and safety for residents but also strengthen crucial logistics routes vital for economic, industrial, and trade development in Laos.

The partnership between Japan and Laos has flourished since its elevation to a strategic partnership in 2015. Japan remains committed to addressing Laos’ diverse challenges through effective cooperation for sustainable economic and social development.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/05/10/japan-boosts-road-repair-efforts-in-laos-with-new-equipment-handover/

In a move to combat climate change, the Lao government, in partnership with AIDC Green Forest, is launching a forest carbon credit initiative (REDD+) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from forest destruction and degradation.

The initiative, announced at a signing ceremony on 5 May, follows international standards and is a crucial national strategy to combat climate change. While REDD stands for “reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation,” the REDD+ program includes managing and protecting forests, building learning centers, patrolling, and enhancing people’s livelihoods. 

Under the agreement, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will work with AIDC Green Forest to implement the project. This initiative is not only about protecting and restoring forests but also improving the quality of life for local communities. However, despite the recent announcement, no other information regarding the practical approach of the project has been released.

According to Pheutsapha Phoummasak, President of AIDC Green Forest, the scheme aligns with global efforts to reduce forest destruction, a major contributor to climate change. He emphasized that it will also strengthen the national economy and contribute to the overall development of Lao society.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the project was signed in December 2022, which involved a feasibility study of 10 forests covering 1.7 million hectares. 

From these, eight forests were selected for the initiative, including Phou Khao Khouay National Park, the Nam Muan-Nam Ngoung National Protected Area, Nam Ngum National Protected Area, Phou Phanang National Bio-Diversity Conservation Area, Phoukhiew-Phouthan-Phouhai National Protected Area, Nong Ta Ngok National Productive Forest, Trans-Boundary Biodiversity Conservation in Protected Forests between Laos, Thailand and Cambodia, the Phou Hin Poun Protected Area

The project is expected to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1.4 million tonnes annually, contributing to Laos’ Nationally Determined Contribution. This includes measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance climate resilience.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/05/09/laos-launches-forest-carbon-credit-initiative-to-combat-climate-change/

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