VIENTIANE: The government of Japan has granted approximately 649 million yen (US$4.3 million) to Laos to upgrade outdated topographic maps and establish an online geospatial data system.
A signing ceremony for the Exchange of Notes on the Economic and Social Development Programme (Geospatial Data Platform) took place on October 22 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vientiane.
The notes were signed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Phongsamouth Anlavan and Japanese Ambassador Koizumi Tsutomu.
The grant will support Laos in modernising maps that were created between the 1950s and the 2000s, many of which are scanned paper documents that are incompatible with modern GIS systems.
It will also enable the production of new hazard maps using Japanese satellite data, update 1:50 000-scale topographic and landslide hazard maps, and build a national online geospatial data system.
Through this assistance, the government of Japan will help Laos develop modern geospatial infrastructure to strengthen land management, infrastructure planning, and disaster prevention.
It will use imagery from Japan’s Earth observation satellite Daichi to assess disaster risks, including landslides, and apply high-precision satellite positioning technology from the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, known as Michibiki.
In addition, hazard maps will be developed in selected areas using change detection technologies from Japanese satellites to identify terrain changes and vulnerable zones.
The grant, worth 649 million yen, is part of Japan’s continued support for the goals of Laos’ National Socio-Economic Development Plans, aiming to promote inclusive and sustainable growth.
Deputy Minister Phongsamouth expressed deep gratitude to the government and people of Japan for their long-standing support to Laos over the past seven decades and pledged to use the assistance responsibly and effectively for the benefit of the Lao people.
Ambassador Koizumi reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to deepening cooperation under the Japan-Laos Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and to bringing mutual benefits to both nations.
The signing took place as Laos and Japan mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 60th anniversary of the Japanese volunteer programme in Laos, further strengthening friendship and cooperation between the two countries. - Vientiane Times/ANN
