Ambassador Heather Variava welcomes Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane at the celebration of America’s 249th Independence Day and the 70th anniversary of Laos-US diplomatic ties.--Photo MOFA

US ambassador reaffirms commitment to Laos amid shifting aid policy  

The United States remains committed to its engagement with Laos in priority areas amid adaptation in its foreign aid policy, the US ambassador has said.
Speaking at a celebration on July 2 at the Crowne Plaza Vientiane to mark America’s 249th Independence Day and 70 years of Laos-US diplomatic relations, Ambassador Heather Variava assured that US engagement with Laos would endure, albeit with some programme changes.
“Secretary Rubio has said that foreign assistance will continue. It will be adapted to meet the needs and the priorities of the United States in partnership with countries like (the) Lao PDR,” the ambassador said in response to a question put by a reporter.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane attended the event as chief guest, joined by ministers, deputy ministers, diplomats, and development partners.
Addressing unexploded ordnance (UXO) remains central to the Laos-US partnership.
Over the years, the United States has contributed close to US$500 million, maybe US$400 million to clearing UXO, Ambassador Variava said.
Last year, some 5,600 hectares of land were cleared with US support - the highest annual figure to date.
“The United States is honoured to be able to partner with the Lao PDR to address the issue of unexploded ordnance,” the ambassador said, adding that this partnership will continue.
During the Indochina War from 1964 to 1973, US warplanes dropped more than 2 million tonnes of bombs on Laos, making it the most heavily bombed country on earth per capita, according to the National Regulatory Authority for UXO/Mine Action. 
An estimated 30 percent of the bombs dropped failed to detonate, contaminating 87,000 square kilometres of land across the country, with accidental explosions continuing to main and kill innocent  civilians.
Despite the support and partnership provided by the international community to the Lao government in the clearance of UXO, only just over 1 percent of contaminated land has been freed of unexploded munitions since clearance operations began in 1996.
Beyond UXO, Ambassador Variava highlighted ongoing cooperation in health, education, transnational crime and human trafficking.
“We are delighted to have our continued programmes. So we continue to look forward to working with (the) Lao PDR in many important areas,” she said.
Commenting on the significant shift in foreign aid policy, the ambassador said, “Some programmes may stay, some may go away.”
“But we still are very committed to being partners with (the) Lao PDR,” she added.
The ambassador hailed the growing ties between Laos and the United States, describing the people-to-people bond as a ‘wonderful relationship’.
Looking ahead, she expressed optimism, saying that the large Lao diaspora in the United States is eager to further build and nurture bilateral ties. 
“We’re celebrating 70 years and looking forward to the next 70 years of great partnership between Laos and the United States,” she said.
Addressing the celebration, Minister Thongsavanh echoed the growing relations and expressed optimism for the future.
“Although our countries have navigated through difficult periods in history, we have successfully nurtured our relationship and cooperation, leading to the elevation of our bilateral ties to the comprehensive partnership,” he said.
“I am confident that through our joint collaborative efforts, we will continue to enjoy our existing relations and cooperation both in bilateral and multilateral (ways) to ensure our mutual respects and common interest for our two countries in the years to come.”

By Souksakhone Vaenkeo
 (Latest Update July 7, 2025)