Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Maythong Thammavongsa, meets Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Indo-Pacific and Equalities of the United Kingdom, Ms Seema Malhotra MP, in Vientiane.

UK backs continued UXO clearance in Laos

The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its support for unexploded ordnance clearance in Laos during a senior-level visit aimed at deepening bilateral ties and development cooperation.
The commitment was made during a working visit to Laos by Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Indo-Pacific and Equalities of the United Kingdom, Ms Seema Malhotra MP, on May 28.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Maythong Thammavongsa, welcomed Ms Malhotra and her delegation in Vientiane, where the two sides discussed ways to strengthen and expand cooperation under both bilateral and multilateral frameworks.
They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of shared interest and reviewed progress in relations between Laos and the United Kingdom.
During her visit, Ms Malhotra met representatives from several ministries and agencies to discuss ongoing development projects and future areas of cooperation.
She also visited the Mines Advisory Group, one of the key organisations supporting unexploded ordnance clearance in Laos, where she announced the continuation of British funding support for 2026-2027.
The renewed support is expected to help ongoing efforts to clear contaminated land and improve safety and livelihoods in rural communities still affected by unexploded bombs left from past conflicts.
The United Kingdom has supported Laos in several areas of development over the years, including public health, education, public works and human resource development through training programmes.
Laos and the United Kingdom established diplomatic relations on September 5, 1955, and the relationship has continued to grow steadily.
In 2025, the two countries marked the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties with a series of commemorative activities highlighting decades of cooperation and friendship.
The two countries have also maintained regular exchanges of visits and delegations at different levels as relations continue to expand.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update May 29, 2026)