British Ambassador Mel Barlow presents her credentials to President Thongloun Sisoulith on September 28, 2023.

UK, Laos mark 70 years of growing friendship

The United Kingdom and Laos are marking 70 years of diplomatic relations this year, celebrating a long and evolving partnership that continues to grow in many areas of shared interest.
The UK was among the first countries to formalise diplomatic ties with Laos in 1955. Over the decades, the partnership has expanded, and since the UK became an ASEAN Dialogue Partner in 2021, cooperation has deepened further.

UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy meets with Deputy Prime Minister Saluemxay Kommasith during Laos’ ASEAN Chairmanship.

This milestone year has seen a number of high-level visits between the two nations. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Maythong Thammavongsa, led a delegation to London for political consultations, while members of the Lao National Assembly also visited the UK Parliament. Laos, in turn, welcomed visits from Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ms Catherine West, and the UK Trade Envoy to Laos, Mr Matt Western.
Both countries are focusing their cooperation on climate and nature, health, economic growth, education and the clearance of unexploded ordnance. Shared values, mutual respect and a common love for football further strengthen the friendship between the two peoples.
Partnership for a greener future
Laos, one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the region, has been working closely with the UK to promote green growth and climate adaptation.
The UK-Laos Green Economy Framework, signed in 2024, focuses on renewable energy, adaptation resilience, carbon markets, sustainable finance and green transport.
Laos continues to show strong leadership in sustainable development, with more than 80 percent forest cover and firm commitments to renewable energy.
The UK has pledged £95 million (US$125 million) under the Climate Compatible Growth programme to support Laos in developing energy systems and improving energy efficiency.
This year, the UK also became a Development Partner of the Mekong River Commission. The partnership builds on existing collaboration, including the development of the “One Mekong” mobile application, which provides real-time river data and forecasting for communities across the region.
Cooperation in health and well-being
The UK’s Fleming Fund has supported Laos since 2019, strengthening laboratory capacity and monitoring antimicrobial resistance through training and knowledge sharing. The ASEAN–UK Health Security Partnership now brings British and Lao health professionals together to improve responses to health threats.

Ambassador Mel Barlow and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Maythong Thammavongsa join political consultations in London in September 2025.

As the largest sovereign donor to GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, the UK has helped deliver more than 650,000 doses of measles and rubella vaccines in Laos, ensuring stronger protection for children.
Boosting trade and economic ties
Economic growth is a shared goal for both nations. Through the UK-ASEAN Economic Integration Programme, Laos is receiving technical support to improve regulations, trade systems and access to financial services.
Lao coffee exports have also benefited from British partnership, while the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme gives Lao producers zero-tariff access to the British market on all goods except arms and ammunition. The UK Trading Partnership Programme helps Lao companies prepare to compete in international markets.

Ambassador Mel Barlow visits a rice field in Champasak province and meets with farming communities.

Investing in education and people
Education remains one of the strongest links between the two countries. Each year, between seven and ten Lao students are awarded the prestigious Chevening Scholarship to study in the UK. By 2026, more than 100 Lao Chevening alumni will have returned home, many now contributing to leadership roles in government, civil society and business.
The UK also continues to support Laos in improving early education and building human resource capacity through skills development and exchange programmes.

Ambassador Mel Barlow visits the Mekong Vocational Centre, where UK development support provides skills training with a focus on women’s empowerment.

Clearing unexploded ordnance and restoring land
The UK has been one of the largest donors for unexploded ordnance clearance in Laos, providing £18.15 million (US$23 million) from 2016 to 2023. Over the past decade, UK-funded projects have cleared more than 22.8 million square metres of land and safely destroyed over 27,000 UXO items.
This vital work, carried out by the Mines Advisory Group in Khammuan province and The HALO Trust in Savannakhet, has returned land to communities for farming and development, contributing to safer and more prosperous lives.
Going forward, the UK and Laos remain committed to building on 70 years of friendship and cooperation. Both nations will continue working together to promote sustainable economic growth, improve health systems and address global challenges such as climate change.

By Advertorial Desk
(Latest Update November 14, 2025)