VIENTIANE: The governments of Laos and Australia have committed to deepening their comprehensive partnership, agreeing to focus future cooperation on four core pillars spanning development, trade, climate action, and security, following the 16th Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) in Canberra, Australia.
The meeting, co-chaired by Lao Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Phongsamouth Anlavan, and Australian Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Michelle Chan, reviewed successful collaboration between the two nations since 1952, with particular attention paid to the progress achieved since the relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Partnership in 2024.
The two sides expressed their appreciation for their enduring friendship and effective cooperation and affirmed their intention to continue working together to expand this partnership under its four main pillars.
The first pillar focuses on people, education, and human resource development, with a commitment to ongoing support for crucial development projects.
This includes the second phase of the Basic Education Quality and Access in Laos (BEQUAL) programme and the third phase of the Laos-Australia Institute (LAI).
In the health sector, the two countries will continue collaboration on the Wolbachia mosquito project, which is designed to control the spread of the dengue fever virus in Laos.
Under the second pillar concerning economics, trade, and investment, the officials welcomed the recent launch of the LIFT 4 Laos project (Lao Investment Facilitation and Transition). This initiative aims to strengthen the economy and attract quality Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country.
Addressing global concerns, the third pillar centres on climate change, environment, and energy. Here, the two parties agreed to pursue more effective and sustainable cooperation, which will include continued collaboration with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) in Laos.
The fourth pillar covers defence and law enforcement. The meeting provided an opportunity for the sharing of views on cooperation in defence, legal matters, humanitarian assistance, and the vital work of unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance.
Additionally, the partnership will continue its focus on efforts to combat transnational crime.
Beyond the bilateral scope, the two sides underscored their commitment to working together within multilateral frameworks, including the Mekong sub-region, Asean, and the United Nations, with the shared goal of maintaining global peace and stability.
Following the formal SOM proceedings, Phongsamouth and her delegation met with the Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Assistant Minister for Trade (responsible for ODA), and Assistant Minister for Immigration.
Their talks served to further accelerate the expansion of cooperation between the two countries across key sectors. - Vientiane Times/ANN
