Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (front row, 8th left) welcomes 44 JICA Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers at the Prime Minister’s Office in Vientiane on Tuesday.

PM praises Japanese volunteers’ support for development in Laos

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has stressed the continuing need for JICA volunteers’ assistance in sectors requiring the development of technical expertise and in fostering cultural links between Japan and Laos.
PM Sonexay on December 10 warmly received a group of 44 JICA Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers who are actively contributing to socio-economic development in communities across the country.
The meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s Office, was attended by the Ambassador of Japan to Laos, Mr Koizumi Tsutomu; Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Senior Vice President, Mr Hataeda Mikio; and JICA Laos Office Chief Representative, Ms Kobayashi Miyako.
This was the 22nd annual courtesy call by JICA volunteers to the Lao Prime Minister since the programme’s inception in 2002.
PM Sonexay expressed his heartfelt gratitude to JICA and the volunteers from Japan for their dedicated work in local communities.
He also highly commended the government of Japan for its unwavering support as one of Laos’ top donor partners.
The Prime Minister acknowledged Japan’s significant ongoing long-term contributions to Laos’ sustainable development in line with the country’s priority policies.
He highlighted the volunteers’ role in spreading the word about the Lao way of life among the Japanese people, encouraging increased tourism and investment in Laos.
In an impressive display of linguistic and cultural integration, three JICA volunteers working in Vientiane and Luang Prabang provinces delivered presentations in the Lao language, earning praise from Lao officials.
The Prime Minister lauded their efforts and encouraged all the volunteers to continue with their respective contributions, further strengthening the strategic partnership between Laos and Japan.
Mr Hataeda Mikio thanked the Lao government for its continuing support of JICA’s mission and reaffirmed JICA’s commitment to fostering development and bilateral cooperation.
Since 1965, JICA has dispatched 1,094 volunteers to Laos, contributing to a broad range of fields including education, health, agriculture, forestry, and community development.
Next year, Japan and Laos will celebrate two significant milestones: the 60th anniversary of the JICA Volunteer Programme in Laos and the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

By Advertorial Desk
 (Latest Update December 12, 2024)