md_resources/en/laos.md

In Laos, LuxDev works in healthcare and nutrition, vocational training, and good governance to support sustainable development.

LuxDev in Laos

Luxembourg and Laos formalised their development cooperation in 2000 with a general cooperation agreement. Since then, five successive multi-year Indicative Cooperation Programmes have demonstrated Luxembourg’s long-term commitment to Laos’ socio-economic development.

Luxembourg’s bilateral aid aligns with Laos’ national priorities and LuxDev plays a key role in implementing these cooperation programmes. By working closely with local partners, we help reduce poverty, improve living conditions, and support Laos’ transition toward sustainable development.

Challenges in Laos: healthcare, training, governance, and climate change

Laos faces significant development challenges. Regional inequalities, particularly between urban and rural areas, and limited access to basic social services like healthcare and education remain major concerns. The country’s landlocked geography, dependence on natural resources, and vulnerability to climate change further exacerbate these issues.

In the healthcare sector, maternal and infant mortality rates remain high due to limited healthcare access and a fragile system.

Vocational training is another critical challenge, as equipping the workforce with relevant skills is essential for economic integration.

Good governance and the rule of law are also fundamental pillars for ensuring citizens’ rights and achieving sustainable development.

Additionally, local development plays a crucial role in empowering communities and addressing poverty at its roots.

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Climate change is a cross-cutting issue that intensifies all these challenges. Extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, threaten agriculture, infrastructure, and food security, disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable populations and hindering development progress.

Our activities in Laos

The programmes implemented by LuxDev in Laos provide targeted solutions to these pressing challenges.

Enhancing healthcare and nutrition

We support efforts to ensure universal access to high-quality, affordable healthcare, with a special focus on maternal and child health. These initiatives contribute to achieving universal health coverage and improving overall public health.

Promoting vocational training in key sectors

We focuse on vocational training in hospitality, tourism, agriculture, and forestry – key sectors for employment and economic growth, particularly for vulnerable populations. These industries also offer significant opportunities for green and digital economy development.

Strengthening good governance and the Rule of Law

Our initiatives aim to build capacity within the judicial system, improve access to justice for all, and promote transparency and good governance. By strengthening legal education and supporting judicial reforms, we help create a more efficient and accountable governance framework. A participatory approach ensures that local communities play an active role in shaping their own development. By building local capacities, we empower stakeholders to better address community needs and improve public services.

Key figures in Laos

• EUR

16,653,413disbursed in Laos in 2024

Distribution of disbursements by sector in 2024

Evolution of activities in Laos

Projects in Laos

• In execution Laos

Health and nutrition programme

Health

Health and nutrition programme - In execution Laos

Rule of law, access to justice and good governance

Governance

Rule of law, access to justice and good governance - In execution Laos

Skills for tourism, agriculture and forestry (STAF)

Education, vocational training and employment

Skills for tourism, agriculture and forestry (STAF) - In execution Laos

Local development programme

Socio-economic development

Local development programme