The Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat and the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) have agreed to deepen their engagement, which will bridge the gap between disaster monitoring and response across Southeast Asia.
During a working visit to Jakarta on 17 May, a delegation of officials from the MRC Member Countries and Secretariat headed by the Chief Executive Officer, Anoulak Kittikhoun, signed a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) with the AHA Centre, represented by Executive Director Lee Yam Ming.
The MOI aims to formalize the partnership between these two inter-governmental agencies in disaster monitoring, forecasting, and response; joint training and capacity building; mutual exchange of expertise and experience; and other technical cooperation, including scientific research. It is under the umbrella of the ASEAN-MRC Cooperation Framework.
“This MOI represents a major step in uniting our expertise and resources,” Kittikhoun said. “It bridges the critical gap between disaster monitoring and disaster response, ensuring our region is better prepared for emergencies and our vulnerable communities are better protected.”
Sharing Kittikhoun’s perspective, the AHA Centre’s Executive Director expressed similar sentiments.
“The MOI marks a significant milestone in the history of AHA Centre-MRC relations,” Lee said. “We want to make a positive impact on the people of ASEAN, through better exchange of data and information on disaster monitoring that will make a difference in our disaster preparedness and response endeavors.”
In 2022, Asia experienced 137 out of the 388 global disasters, impacting more than 64 million people and causing almost USD 50 million in damages, according to the World Meteorological Organization. Floods were particularly common, accounting for about 40 percent of all natural disasters worldwide and nearly 70 percent of disasters in ASEAN from 2012 to 2022.
The AHA Centre, with its partners, facilitates cooperation and coordination among ASEAN Member States for disaster management and emergency response in the region. The MRC
acts as a regional platform for water diplomacy and a knowledge hub, promoting dialogue and cooperation in the Lower Mekong River Basin, and providing vital services such as monitoring water levels and forecasting floods and droughts in the Mekong.
Laos has achieved a big step in its telecommunications system by adding fiber optic cable that stretches 98,524 kilometers. This means more villages across the country can now get mobile phone signals.
As of now, over 6.1 million mobile phone numbers across Laos have been issued, enabling internet usage, with the public opening more than 4.6 million accounts. Minister of Technology and Communications Boviengkham Vongdara highlighted these achievements during a press conference for the 159th anniversary of the World Telecommunication and Information Society on 17 May.
With a specific count of 6,113,455 registered mobile phone numbers, the Ministry of Technology and Communications aims to increase this figure to 6.5 million soon. Also, there are 4,614,752 registered internet users, approaching the ministry’s target of 4.7 million accounts.
Boviengkham reported that mobile phone coverage has expanded to reach 8,245 villages across 148 districts in 18 provinces, covering 97 percent of villages nationwide, with the majority of network users utilizing 3G and 4G access. Meanwhile, the introduction of 5G high-speed internet earlier this year in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Bokeo provinces also represents a significant advancement in connectivity.
Currently, Laos hosts five telecommunication service providers and over 20 internet companies, contributing to the country’s economy. In 2023 alone, these entities generated over LAK 5 trillion (USD 234 million) in revenue and paid more than LAK 391 billion (USD 18 million) in taxes to the government.
Additionally, in terms of regional connectivity, Laos has also strengthened its ties with neighboring countries, boasting 18 transmission links, including six with Thailand, five with Vietnam, two with Cambodia and Myanmar each, and three with China.
As World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is observed both globally and locally, it acknowledges the transformative impact of digital innovation. This innovation holds the potential to empower education by breaking down barriers through online platforms, revolutionizing healthcare through telemedicine, and fostering connections within communities through social media.
However, despite these advancements, millions still lack access to digital tools.
North Korea’s World Cup qualifying matches against Syria and Myanmar have been relocated from Pyongyang, North Korea, to Vientiane, Laos. This decision marks the third and fourth time in recent months that international football matches have been moved out of North Korea.
Originally scheduled to take place at the Kim Il Sung Stadium on 6 and 11 June, both matches will now be held at the Lao National Stadium, also known as KM 16, as confirmed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
While the Syrian Football Association (SFA) did not specify the reason for the move, NK News reported that Syria requested a neutral venue following their previous home match against North Korea in Saudi Arabia, which they won 1-0.
An official from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Football Association indicated in late April that the games would likely proceed as planned in Pyongyang.
However, on 13 May, the AFC website designated the National Stadium of Laos as the new venue for both matches.
This relocation poses a challenge to North Korea’s World Cup aspirations. However, Korean football expert Steve Price suggests that playing in Laos may still give North Korea an advantage in terms of travel logistics and creating a challenging environment for their opponents.
Additionally, the AFC’s decision to relocate the matches has raised concerns about the integrity of the competition, particularly following North Korea’s previous last-minute cancellation of a World Cup qualifier against Japan in March.
Japan currently leads the group with 12 points, followed by Syria with seven points, North Korea with three points, and Myanmar with one point. The top two teams in the group will advance to the next round of World Cup qualifiers and secure a spot in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
In related news, North Korea’s U-17 women’s team recently clinched victory in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup, defeating Japan 1-0 in the final. This success earns them a spot in the U-17 World Cup scheduled to be held in the Dominican Republic later this year.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/7-3.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2024-05-31 10:26:512024-05-31 10:26:54North Korea’s World Cup Qualifiers Moved from Pyongyang to Laos
Heather Variava, the United States (US) Ambassador to Laos, who assumed her position in February this year, spoke with Lao media officials on 14 May in a press conference where she officially introduced herself and shared the vision for her three-year tenure in Laos with the public.
Born and raised in Iowa, US, Ambassador Variava considers herself “a traveler” with a strong love for the Southeast Asia (SEA) region. This is also evident from her previous foreign service work as Deputy Chief of Mission and Charge d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Manila, Philippines, as well as Deputy Chief of Mission and Charge d’Affaires at the US Mission to Indonesia and as US Consul General in Surabaya, Indonesia.
The US ambassador Heather Variava listen to questions from journalists at the American Center in Vientiane Capital
During the conference, Variava beamed with joy as she expressed her utmost gratitude, describing her mission in Laos as a dream coming true. “I have to say that I am very, very fortunate because I am living my dream.”
“My priority as ambassador is primarily to build and expand the US comprehensive partnership that was announced almost 10 years ago by President [Barack] Obama when he visited [Laos] in 2016,” said the ambassador as she outlined her tasks.
She continued, “First, I see that one of the most important ways the US can partner with Laos is by helping it to build its capacity, to build the capacity of its people, to make Laos a more prosperous, stable, independent, sovereign nation within Southeast Asia.”
Strengthening ASEAN Ties: US Support for Laos’s Chairmanship
Heather Variava further emphasized the significant value the United States places upon the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), highlighting the US’s full support for Laos as it chairs the ASEAN meetings this year under the theme of “Connectivity and Resilience.”
“We have provided laptops to Laos to use during the ASEAN chair year to support the staff and the visiting delegations as they come,” said the ambassador. “We have provided stationery and other supplies, again, to support Laos in a logistical sense when it comes to the ASEAN chair year.”
The US Ambassador also noted the arrival of several delegations from both the US government and private sectors to Laos. Variava specified that the support and collaboration between the US and ASEAN are “just getting started.” As stated by the ambassador, US senior officials are very much interested in holding meetings with Laos to further explore potential collaborations in its ASEAN chairmanship.
Acknowledging the Visit Laos Year 2024 campaign as the most important for Laos as ASEAN chair, the ambassador stressed the US’s support for the country in the area of tourism. She underscored how Americans are one of the top five contributors to tourism in Laos, noting that Laos’s cultural heritage is the country’s vital point in attracting tourists, especially those from the US. Variava believes that protecting the country’s cultural heritage would help Laos become an even more attractive tourism destination.
An example she brought up was when the US Embassy took part in the national handicraft branding event “in which the US Agency for International Development partnered with Laos to highlight and ensure the sort of protection of the cultural and intellectual property that is part of Laos’s rich cultural heritage.”
Advancing Health and Well-being: US Initiatives in Rural Laos
Apart from the support for Laos’s ASEAN chairmanship, the US Embassy also pays attention to issues on a smaller scale, the roots of which play a huge part in pushing Laos to prosperity—particularly focusing on children, especially those in rural areas where opportunities and access to health care are scarce.
Ambassador Heather Variava observes primary school students studying (photo: the US Embassy)
Variava stated that the US has been cooperating with the Lao government to elevate the quality of life for rural residents, especially women and children. She mentioned the work of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which has contributed immensely in providing maternal and child health and nutrition. The support involves providing beneficial nutrition for mothers and babies, assisting them in accessing quality health care to help mothers raise their children safely, and ensuring young people have what they need to grow up healthy.
“We’ve devoted somewhere in the neighborhood of USD 40 million in that area in recent years. We also work with the government of Laos and the Ministry of Health, which is a great partner of ours in the areas of infectious diseases. So our Centers for Disease Control and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency help build Laos’s capacity to detect, prevent, and respond to infectious disease. And that could be COVID, malaria, HIV/AIDS, or any other new disease that might emerge.”
She also highlighted the attention the US has been giving to people with disabilities in Laos, which she personally considers one of her “serious responsibilities.”
“I would emphasize that all of our assistance goes to people with disabilities regardless of the cause of their disability.”
The ambassador noted the US’s assistance in helping people with disabilities in a practical approach, including providing prosthetics to those who need such equipment, all the way up to supporting those with disabilities to become more integrated into society to have economic opportunities and opportunities to start their own businesses.
By prioritizing economic collaboration, cultural preservation, health initiatives, and support for people with disabilities, Ambassador Variava is poised to make meaningful contributions to Laos’s development and its role within ASEAN. Her vision and proactive approach signal a promising future for the bilateral ties between the US and Laos, highlighting a shared commitment to prosperity, stability, and mutual respect.
In the initial months of 2024, a total of 85,871 people crossed the Third Thai-lao Friendship Bridge, which links Khammouane Province, Laos, and Nakhon Phanom Province, Thailand, according to Soukthong Vongsa, the head of cross-border immigration police in Laos.
These figures show a surge of 3,937 people compared to the same period in 2023.
Soukthong noted the diligence of local authorities in enforcing regulations on individuals’ entry and exit. However, challenges persist, notably the absence of modern inspection tools like X-ray machines, hindering the detection of illegal items concealed in luggage, personal belongings, and vehicles entering and exiting.
Efforts to bolster tourism during Visit Laos Year 2024 include enhancing document notification services, expanding service availability, and ensuring peace and order at checkpoint locations, meticulously mapped out to monitor the orderly flow of tourists and passengers entering Laos.
As the country aims at fortifying tourism initiatives throughout Visit Laos Year 2024, government authorities are stepping up efforts in infrastructure development. The projects include renovation of buildings, workplaces, offices, electrical systems, and street lights. Furthermore, improvements extend to the interior of buildings and the checkpoint courtyard, aiming to enhance convenience, cleanliness, and appeal to attract more visitors to Khammouane Province.
To further promote tourism in Laos, the country is set to launch the fifth bridge in November, connecting Bueng Kan Province, Thailand, with Paksan district, Bolikhamxay Province, Laos. The bridge is currently at 95 percent completion.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Laos-Thai-Friendship-Bridge.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2024-05-31 10:21:232024-05-31 10:21:52Record Surge in Individuals Crossing Third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Early 2024
After two years in the work, a new e-commerce platform for Lao agriculture products has finally been launched to promote both domestic trade and across borders.
The platform features two versions, serving two different purposes including the domestic platform and.as the cross-border platform. Both sites are under the support of the Chinese government and implementation of the Trade Promotion and Handicrafts Department of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Laos.
The launch ceremony officially kicked off on 13 May at the Don Chan Palace Hotel. According to the Chinese Charge d’ Affaires Wang Chang, building e-commerce in Laos falls into one of the eight major projects of the Chinese government’s support towards their Lao counterpart. While the project would contribute to Laos’s development and generate income for its citizens, it would also enhance the digital trade relationship between Laos and China by promoting the export of Lao agricultural products and industrial handicrafts to China.
Director General of the Trade Promotion and Handicrafts Department, Vithoun Sitthimorada added that the website will prove greatly beneficial to the Lao government employees, producers and representatives of business units in more ways than one. The platform is capable of providing technical support for e-commerce system administration, establishing a development model for e-commerce to reach rural areas to link information to produce results, achieving online buying and selling between producers and consumers, and encouraging the export of products abroad.
Lao state media suggested this achievement as a significant national milestone for Laos.The project promises the promotion of production as a commodity, the stimulation of trade and investment, the creation of job opportunities, the establishment of connections between producers and consumers both domestically and internationally, and the encouragement of a shift from traditional production patterns to new ones.
The past two years of e-commerce in Laos have mostly seen locals ordering online from neighboring countries, including Thailand, China, and Vietnam. This trend is often attributed to the lack of e-commerce platforms in Laos and the customers’ demands for a broader variety of products compared to what’s available within Laos.
As e-commerce slowly but surely grows, it is evident that Laos is moving towards a digital era with aims to meet the growing demand of people from all sorts of different sectors, ultimately revolutionizing the world of trade and sales of the country.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Laos-Launches-New-E-commerce-Platform-for-Agricultural-Products-Supported-by-Chinese-Government.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2024-05-27 08:10:272024-05-20 08:12:01Laos Launches New E-commerce Platform for Agricultural Products, Supported by Chinese Government
Laos and Thailand have commenced a trial run of the new cross-border railway service before its official launch, which is expected to be announced within the upcoming few months.
Operated by the Lao National Railway State Enterprise under the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, in collaboration with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), the trials are scheduled to take place between 14 and 17 May from Thanaleng Railway Station to Vientiane Khamsavath Station in Laos.
After this initial trial run, the testing will further extend from Udon Thani Railway Station and Nong Khai Station in Thailand to Laos’ Thanaleng Railway Station and Khamsavath Station from 18-20 May.
The construction of the Lao-Thai Railway Project began in 2013 with an initial completion target set for the end of 2021. However, the Khamsavath Station project encountered delays, resulting in its completion in 2023.
The Lao-Thai Railway and the Laos-China Railway are crucial components of a regional rail network aimed at connecting China to Singapore through Laos, Thailand, and Malaysia.
While the rail train was anticipated, the first regional express freight train from China-Laos-Thailand-Malaysia, carrying 30 containers of electronics and vehicles, recently departed from Chengdu, China. Its destination is Port Klang, Malaysia, with stops in Laos and Thailand along the way.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/9-3-1.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2024-05-24 08:07:502024-05-20 08:09:42Laos-Thailand Railway Prepares for Official Opening with Trial Runs
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.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/putin.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2024-05-23 08:05:292024-05-20 08:07:44Lao, 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.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/★PXL_20240509_024537164-1536x1152-1.jpg11521536Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2024-05-22 08:03:502024-05-20 08:05:05Japan 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.
