The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO), the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC), and Laos’s Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism jointly organized a four-day digital skills training workshop, on 24-27 September in Luang Prabang Province.

Twenty-eight participants from the public and private sectors attended the event entitled, “Enhancing Digital Skills for Women in Tourism Communities in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam – The Training of Trainers.”

The face-to-face workshop addressed key issues such as digital marketing analysis and planning, promoting online community-based tourism enterprises, and developing digital skills training for community-based micro and small tourism businesses such as homestays, guest houses, restaurants, handicraft outlets, and local tour services.

Participants also visited community-based tourism enterprises, assessing their digital needs as real-life case studies.

The ‘training the trainers’ workshop also held sessions on effective resource utilization, planning, budgets, and setting goals for digital marketing.

Naoko Fujikawa, Assistant Director, ASEAN-Japan Centre said that digital skills were crucial for marketing tourism products to the world. However, not many women in the tourism sector had opportunities to develop their digital marketing skills.

“By empowering these women with the knowledge to connect their local tourism products to the global market, we are not only supporting their personal growth but also nurturing the sustainable development of their communities,” said Fujikawa.

Phonemaly Inthaphome, Director General of Tourism Development, Laos’s Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism said: “Women have the potential to lead and innovate in tourism. By enhancing their digital skills, we are not just investing in individual capabilities, we are investing in the future of their communities.”

Suvimol ‘Dee’ Thanasarakij, Executive Director of the MTCO noted that women made up more than half of the tourism workforce in the Greater Mekong Sub-region. However, many were informal laborers with limited access to education and opportunities.

“Through this training, we aim to empower women in local tourism communities with the digital skills needed to strengthen their businesses and gain greater exposure to the global market,” she said.

Fujikawa added: “We believe these participants will become catalysts for change, passing on their knowledge and driving innovation in tourism across their regions.”

After the event, Thanasarakij concluded: “We hope this training will create a ripple effect, with participants passing on their knowledge and skills to others, fostering resilience and growth across the region.”

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/09/30/empowering-women-in-tourism-to-market-mekong-experiences-in-a-digital-age/

The French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) and Nam Theun 2 Power Company celebrated the grand opening of the International Centre for Environmental Research and Education (CIREN) in Nakai district, Khammouane Province. The event was attended by government officials, environmental experts, community representatives, and international partners.

CIREN will serve as a hub for research, education, and capacity building in environmental conservation. It will focus on equipping local students with the knowledge and skills needed to address environmental challenges and contribute to the sustainable management of natural resources.

“The facility currently includes a fully equipped and operational biology laboratory, featuring state-of-the-art benches, microscopes, laminar flow hoods, and centrifuges, among other essential equipment. This laboratory is specialized for microscopic and molecular biology analyses, which are crucial for research on environmental, animal, and human health. In the near future, we plan to expand the laboratory to include a dedicated space for the reception and preservation of biological samples, as well as a teaching room equipped with pedagogical facilities. This development will further enhance our capacity to conduct critical research and training initiatives,” said Sabrina Locatelli, IRD Country Representative.

In his opening remarks, Nam Theun 2 CEO Marc-Antoine Rupp expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the establishment of CIREN. He highlighted the project’s significance in promoting localized scientific research, which will in turn benefit the study of the area’s rich biodiversity.

“CIREN represents a milestone in our commitment to conservation and education. Through collaboration with the IRD and Nakai Nam Theun National Park, we aim to create a local model for sustainable development in Laos,” Rupp said.

The center’s location in proximity to the Nakai Nam Theun National Park provides a unique opportunity for hands-on learning and research in a diverse and ecologically important area.

Rupp also called upon all stakeholders to join forces in supporting CIREN’s mission. 

“By working together, we can strengthen Laos’ scientific community and learn more about the country’s rich biodiversity,” he said.

“Today marks a significant milestone in the collaboration among various sectors to enhance science and technology cooperation in Laos. This is evident in the establishment of the International Centre for Environmental Research and Education, which will serve as a training center for scientists and students, as well as a research hub to provide information to the communities. On behalf of the Ministry of Education and Sports and all Lao sectors, I hope that we will continue to collaborate in scientific research and organize joint activities,” Phout Simmalavong, Minister of Education and Sports.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/10/23/french-national-research-institute-for-sustainable-development-nam-theun-2-inaugurate-centre-for-environmental-research-education/

On 25 September, Laos and Russia commenced a joint military training exercise at the Sergievsky training ground in Russia’s far east region of Primorsky, with goals of boosting knowledge exchange and preparing for potential joint operations in times of need.

During the training –“The LAROS 2024” – Lao personnel along with their Russian counterparts centered their practice around the theme, “All stages of practical actions in single combat formations”.

The concept revolved around lessons on ways to prepare for and carry out a joint battle to eliminate illegal armed groups in the event that the enemy uses reconnaissance drones and attack drones.

To ensure successful training, the drills were divided into two parts, with the first one being the knowledge exchange session between Lao and Russian militaries while the second part focused on tactics, raids, rescuing hostages, and the use of modern vehicles and weapons. 

Supervising the operation were Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Lao People’s Army and Head of the Steering Committee of the Laos-Russia joint military exercise, Major General Phanseng Bounphanh, along with the Russian Federation Army Steering Committee. 

Major General Phanseng expressed his gratitude to the Russian committee in charge of all those involved in the exercise. He noted that the training is of absolute significance and praised those participated for overcoming all obstacles to complete the training as planned.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/09/27/laos-russia-collaborate-in-military-training-exercise/

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The 24th ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF-24) opened in Vientiane Capital, on 25 September and will conclude on 27 September, at the National Convention Center, drawing policymakers, industry leaders, and energy experts from across the region. 

The three-day forum, hosted by the Lao Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) in collaboration with the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), aims to strengthen regional energy cooperation and advance sustainable solutions for ASEAN’s future energy needs.

The first day of AEBF-24 featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ACE and Huawei, a move aimed at advancing renewable energy efforts across ASEAN. The signing was followed by the launch of a policy brief and the ASEAN Energy Data Centre, designed to provide critical data and insights for stakeholders.

During a press conference on 26 September, Soukvisan Khinsamone, Deputy Director General of the Department of Planning and Cooperation at MEM, emphasized Laos’s pivotal role in promoting clean energy. 

“Laos is a country connected to neighboring countries and regions, a country that has the potential to develop clean energy,” he said. 

He added that 90 percent of Laos’s current energy comes from renewable sources like hydroelectric dams, solar, and wind power. Soukvisan highlighted that Laos aims to lead ASEAN in transitioning toward clean energy, which will be crucial for regional cooperation and future industrial development.

He also noted that achieving these goals will require deeper partnerships with neighboring countries as he stressed the importance of forums like AEBF-24.

In a series of high-level discussions, attendees focused on the region’s growing energy demands and how to meet them through innovation and collaboration. Among the key topics were the integration of renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and ensuring energy security. Several initiatives, including the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), took center stage as examples of ASEAN’s commitment to a sustainable energy transition.

Andy Tirta, Head of Corporate Affairs at ACE and Chairman of AEBF-24, also stated the importance of the forum in driving the implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC). 

“The event of the APAEC is part of our efforts to monitor and report the progress of energy cooperation across the region. ACE plays three critical roles: we are the catalyst for activities, the think tank, and the data and knowledge hub for the energy sector,” Tirta explained.

Tirta further emphasized how AEBF-24 promotes knowledge exchange between public and private sectors, along with academia. 

“Academia plays a critical role in offering cutting-edge technology and policy recommendations, which can help ASEAN policy makers shape the future of energy in the region,”  he said. “We believe the energy transition in ASEAN should have support from both the private and public sectors.” 

Public-private partnerships were another focal point, with Tirta explaining that such collaborations are vital to the success of energy initiatives across ASEAN. 

“This event provides a platform for stakeholders to find solutions to the expensive process of energy transition,” he said, referencing the ongoing need for significant investment to ensure ASEAN’s energy sector remains both sustainable and secure.

One of the highlights of AEBF-24 was the ASEAN Green Transport Rally, which showcased the region’s strides in adopting sustainable transportation technologies. The rally demonstrated a variety of green transport options, from electric vehicles (EVs) to biofuel and hydrogen-powered alternatives. “We believe green transportation is crucial for the future, especially during this energy transition era,” Tirta said, noting ASEAN’s commitment to exploring diverse solutions to the region’s transportation needs.

In addition to panel discussions and workshops, AEBF-24 also featured an exhibition showcasing the latest in sustainable energy technologies. Companies and innovators from across the region presented cutting-edge solutions, giving delegates the opportunity to explore practical advancements that could be adopted in their home countries. The exhibition displayed the forum’s dual focus on policy and technology as complementary forces driving the region’s energy future.

A major point of interest was the release of ACE’s 8th ASEAN Energy Outlook (AEO8), a flagship report that provides a roadmap for achieving ASEAN’s energy goals. The report, along with the discussions at AEBF-24, highlighted the importance of renewable energy integration, energy efficiency, and emerging technologies in addressing the region’s energy challenges. 

As ASEAN faces the dual pressures of growing energy demands and the urgent need to address climate change, forums like AEBF-24 are crucial for fostering regional cooperation and finding solutions. With the support of key partners such as Graphion, Sarawak Energy, and Boston Consulting Group, the forum is paving the way for ASEAN to lead the global energy transition.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/09/26/laos-takes-lead-in-promoting-clean-energy-at-asean-energy-business-forum/