VIENTIANE: The Government of Luxembourg has provided an additional 2.415 million euros (about 63 billion kip) to support Laos in strengthening the rule of law, access to justice and good governance.
Deputy Minister of Finance Soulivath Souvannachoumkham received the funding agreement from the Chargé d’Affaires of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to Laos, Thomas Lammar, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday (Aug 18).
The funding handover ceremony was also attended by Deputy Minister of Justice Sisouda Sophavandy, the Head of the Luxembourg Agency for Development Cooperation (LuxDev), and representatives of relevant agencies.
The new funding is provided under the Rule of Law, Access to Justice and Good Governance Programme (ROLAG/LAO/037), supported by the Government of Luxembourg through LuxDev under the ICPV framework.
The programme is being implemented from 2023 to 2027 by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Education and Sports.
The programme was initially allocated 11.5 million euros and aims to upgrade higher education in the legal sector, while improving public access to legal assistance.
These efforts are intended to support the government’s goal of strengthening Laos as a state governed by the rule of law.
Based on operational requirements, Luxembourg has approved an additional 2.415 million euros, bringing the programme’s total funding to 13.8 million euros, equivalent to about 360 billion kip, to support activities through the end of 2027.
The additional funding will particularly support efforts to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism under an updated bilateral cooperation framework.
The programme also contributes to Goal 6 of the Lao government’s current National Socio-Economic Development Plan, which aims to ensure efficient, just and well-protected state administration based on strict rule-of-law principles.
The additional assistance reflects continued cooperation between Laos and Luxembourg in strengthening the legal sector, improving access to justice, and promoting good governance. - Vientiane Times/ANN
