Vientiane Times
New Mekong bridge
- Title
- New Mekong bridge
- Runtime
- 3:18
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- Title
- EU, WHO support Laos in health financing
- Runtime
- 3:00
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- The European Union (EU) will provide 900,000 euros to Laos for a project to develop nationwide health coverage through a service that everyone can afford.
The launch of the joint three year project between the Ministry of Health, EU, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) took place in Vientiane yesterday.
The project is titled ‘Improving accountability in health financing and functioning of National Health Insurance Branches in two provinces' (Vientiane and Luang Prabang), and seeks to move Laos closer to achieving universal health coverage.
Timely access to health care is critical to maintaining good health yet the high cost of health services often means that people cannot afford care even when they need it the most. The result is that they are forced to make a difficult decision between receiving essential care and facing severe financial hardship.
“The concept of universal health coverage seeks to ensure that everyone can obtain t...
- Title
- Development partners pledge further support
- Runtime
- 2:14
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- Development partners yesterday pledged further support to help Laos pursue its development agenda, notably the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
In her address at the 2014 Round Table Implementation Meeting (RTIM), United Nations Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative Ms Kaarina Immonen pledged continuous support to enable Laos to move forward with its development agenda, especially those MDG targets that are off track.
“We will continue to support national efforts to accelerate progress in achieving the off-track MDG targets as well as preparations for the post-MDG agenda, including graduation from Least Developed Country status,” Ms Kaarina told the meeting.
The 2014 RTIM was run under the theme ‘Accelerating the achievement of the 7th National Socio-economic Development Plan (7th NSEDP)/MDGs and LDC graduation'.
The meeting brought together more than 200 representatives from ...
- Title
- Korean rural development model to be piloted in Laos
- Runtime
- 2:39
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- The government of the Republic of Korea will help the Lao government to pilot a model of rural development which has proved successful in Korea.
T he Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) jointly launched the rural development project in Vientiane on Friday.
Deputy Prime Minister Asang Laoly, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Laos Kim Soo-Gwon and officials from both sides witnessed the signing of the record of discussion between the ministry and KOICA.
The Korean government will provide US$14.5 million to finance the project.
The project, known as Integrated Rural Development with the Saemual Undong Participatory Approach, will be implemented in Vientiane and Savannakhet provinces from now until 2019 and will involve 50 villages.
Saemual Undong is the Korean set of policies drawn up for rural development during the 1970s. It is now considered as a model for solving pov...
- Title
- Almsgivers pay homage at That Luang stupa
- Runtime
- 3:12
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- It was overcast with no sun and no rain, the perfect weather for the many thousands of Lao Buddhists who came to give alms at That Luang to mark one of the most significant religious events of the year.
Crowds of well-dressed women wearing silk skirts and blouses and men sporting sashes waited patiently yesterday morning to present offerings to the monks to celebrate the end of That Luang festival.
Devotees clutched silver bowls full of offerings for the monks and paid homage to the That Luang stupa - the national symbol - hoping their actions would bring them good luck and good health in the year ahead.
This year was more crowded than ever but the organisers were well prepared and there were a large number of long tables lined with aluminium bowls to allow almsgivers to convey their gifts to the monks.
The monks began receiving offerings from 5am, with the roads leading to the stupa packed with thousands of almsgivers.
Many pe...
- Title
- Training fine tunes radio and TV presenters’ skills
- Runtime
- 3:00
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- A group of 22 young radio and TV presenters from 16 provinces across the country will soon be able to report on issues relating to maternal and child health with greater confidence after receiving training from the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
The five-day training course began in Vientiane on Monday and will end on November 7. It is chaired by Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Savankhone Razmountry.
The presenters are learning how to write and record with digital systems and to use audio editing programmes. This will enable them to produce better quality programmes on each of the provincial radio and TV network stations.
During the training course, presenters will have the opportunity to review programming and see where improvements are needed. They will also learn how to make programmes on issues concerning mothers and children.
In his keynote speech at the opening of the training course, Mr Savankhon...
- Title
- Laos required to enact competition law for AEC
- Runtime
- 2:15
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- Each of the Asean member countries needs to draft and enact a competition law before the end of next year, in readiness for the Asean Economic Community which comes into effect in December 2015.
Mr Syfong Soumontha, a technical official from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, told Vientiane Times on Tuesday that so far only six countries have enacted legislation to govern trade competition and market access in line with the requirements of the single economic community.
Mr Syfong was speaking at a two day workshop on competition law and economic development in Laos which opened yesterday.
The four countries which have yet to draft the relevant competition laws are Laos, Cambodia, Brunei and the Philippines. So far, Laos has completed a draft of the law, which is in the process of being introduced to officials in provinces throughout the country.
The aim of the workshop is to generate awareness and understanding of the competition law in ...
- Title
- Laos, China further cement cultural ties
- Runtime
- 3:21
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- A new China Cultural Centre opened in Vientiane yesterday, aimed at building stronger ties between Laos and China
The new centre, located in the ASEM Villa complex fronting onto the Mekong River, is one of 18 such facilities opened by China around the world.
It is envisaged the flexible space provided by the centre will host cultural and arts events such as photo exhibitions and dance performances.
The launch of the China Cultural Centre was witnessed by Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Sports, Dr Phankham Viphavanh, and member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the CPC Central Committee’s Publicity Department, Mr Liu Qibao.
Lao Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Prof. Dr Bosengkham Vongdara, his deputy minister, Chinese Ambassador to Laos Mr Guan Huabing, and other senior officials from Laos and China were also present at the ceremony.
Deliver...
- Title
- Wax flower makers add colour to the festival at That Laung
- Runtime
- 0:59
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- On a busy road about 200 metres away from the famous temple Vat Simeuang in Sisattanak district, a Vientiane woman calmly creates wax flowers of various sizes and styles in preparation for the wax castle procession as part of the That Luang Festival this week.
Ms To Poukhamseng is a veteran of wax flower making. She slowly puts her mould into the liquid wax that has already boiled on the stove nearby and then immerses the mould in some water to cool before removing a beautifully cast wax flower ready for use.
She creates one after another to finish with more than 2,000 flowers for the day, which she then uses to decorate her truck and attract people to purchase some of the wax creations from her shop in the lead up to the nation’s biggest religious festival at That Luang.
Ms To and her cousin are among many sellers who have learned the secrets of wax moulds and candle making, which have been passed down from generation to generation. They know how to m...
- Title
- Festival gives boost to Lao coffee industry
- Runtime
- 2:33
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- The special attributes of Lao coffee are one step closer to global recognition with the staging of the inaugural Coffee Festival that took place here over the weekend.
Running from October 24 to 26, the festival brought together
producers and businesses in Pakxe district on the edge of the Bolaven Plateau, where most of the crop is grown.
The event allowed participants to discuss product development, marketing, and how coffee growing areas could be used as a tourist draw.
The festival sought to boost the coffee industry ahead of the coming into force of the Asean Economic Community next year, and prepare growers and producers for membership in the International Coffee Organisation (ICO) further down the line.
Representatives from some 178 coffee and agricultural outlets, 69 companies including 58 from Laos and 11 from other countries attended the event. A wide range of products was on display and Laos took centre stage in showc...
- Title
- UN backs protection of women, children in Laos
- Runtime
- 2:21
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- Senior Lao officials and United Nations representatives met in Vientiane yesterday to discuss the development of the Law on Violence against Women and Children.
National Assembly President Ms Pany Yathotou told the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Ms Marta Santos Pais, during her visit to the Assembly “The development of this new law will create better understanding about the issue of violence against women and children.”
According to the Unicef office in Vientiane, Ms Santos Pais took part in a roundtable discussion on the new law with members of the National Assembly, Ministry of Justice, National Commission for Mothers and Children and other related government parties.
Ms Santos Pais is a high-level global advocate on the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against children. She is a legal expert with over 30 years' experience on children's rights issues, and engagement i...
- Title
- UXO accidents within MDG target, rates remain too high for complacency
- Runtime
- 2:29
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- The Millennium Development Goal (MDG) No. 9 target for Laos may be reached for this year yet the number of unexploded ordnance (UXO) victims remains too high, with many still getting injured and killed by the deadly devices.
Laos has set a target on the number of UXO casualties at 75 people per year, Director of the National Regulatory Authority (NRA), Mr Phoukhieo Chanthasomboun, said yesterday in Vientiane at the two day sector policy forum on the UXO survey in the focus development areas and UXO victim assistance.
“For the first ten months of this year the UXO accident rate is in line with the [MDG] set target but the explosive devices are still blowing up and many adults and children are being killed and injured each month,” he pointed out.
Mr Phoukhieo also informed the international donors and technicians at the meeting that last week four people including a four year old girl were involved in an explosion in Savannakhet. Fortunately,...
- Title
- Policy developers shape constitutional amendments
- Runtime
- 3:29
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- Top policy developers are currently contributing to a lively discussion and sharing their ideas regarding possible amendments to six chapters of the Lao constitution, which was once amended in 2003.
The National Committee in charge of amendment of the constitution organised a two-day scientific seminar in Vientiane to discuss and share ideas in order to draw up a draft-amended constitution.
Presiding over the two-day meeting, Chairwoman of the committee, Ms Pany Yathotou, who is also President of the National Assembly (NA), said the participants would discuss six points of amendment to the constitution.
The six points being discussed include amendments to Chapter 5 on the mandate and role of the NA as well as the envisioned intention to establish a People’s Assembly at the provincial and capital levels.
Amendments to chapters on the mandate and role of the President, government and local administrations were also discussed.
- Title
- Govt speeds up social security coverage expansion
- Runtime
- 2:36
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- With current social security coverage relatively low, the government is taking steps to almost double coverage from 28 percent of the total population today to a target of 50 percent by 2015.
Executive Council of the National Social Security Fund inaugurated its first meeting yesterday in Vientiane to discuss organisational structure and administration of the council and the fund to ensure that it is effectively and systematically managed.
The meeting also delegated scope of the work and responsibility among the council members in a move to accelerate social security coverage.
In her opening remarks, Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Ms Onchanh Thammavong, who is also Chairwoman of the council, said current social security coverage is relatively low despite the fact that social security initiatives had been introduced more than 20 years ago in 1986.
The meeting took place after the Law on Social Security was promulgated on August ...
- Title
- United States to assist Laos with hydropower management
- Runtime
- 1:52
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- The United States will provide technical assistance to Laos concerning hydropower plant management and operation, and hydropower technical sustainability.
The signing of an agreement on the assistance project took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Vientiane yesterday.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Sounthone Xayachak and the US Counsellor of the Department of State Mr Thomas A. Shannon signed the agreement.
The more than US$1.7 million project will be implemented under the cooperation framework of the Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI).
The assistance from the US government, with the United States Agency for International Development representing, will focus on technical assistance and training funding according to the proposal from the Lao side.
The assistance under “Smart Infrastructure for the Mekong Programme Project” will include initiatives on dam safety and flood control regarding operation of a hydropowe...
- Title
- Government needs to invest more in irrigation
- Runtime
- 4:50
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- Irrigation sectors across the country have proposed that the government consider the enlargement of the budget for repairing, rehabilitating and maintaining irrigation systems as the current funding levels are insufficient.
“We need about 300 billion kip but we’re receiving about 37 billion kip per year,” an official from the Irrigation Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr Vanxay Sayasouk told Vientiane Times after a meeting in Vientiane on Tuesday.
As the funding is limited, irrigation systems across the country are not able to supply enough water for farmers to grow their crops. More than one hundred hectares of dry season rice was lost due to there being not enough water for farmers.
The reason was because the irrigation systems were broken after natural disasters, with some destroyed by flash flooding after torrential downpours in various parts of the country.
The state of affairs of the irrigation sy...
- Title
- Traditional boat racing crown goes to Luang Prabang
- Runtime
- 4:59
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- Luang Prabang province outpaced the Vientiane rowing crews to finish first in this year's annual traditional boat racing festival on the Mekong River in Vientiane to celebrate in the end of Buddhist Lent.
Thoulakhom district's Hatsiew village men's team (from Vientiane province) were the runners up in the men's traditional boat racing after finishing secnd behind Luang Prabang.
Meanwhile, Thoulakhom district's Hatsiew village women's team (from Vientiane province) were able to defend their championship in women's traditional boat racing this year.
This means Hatsiew village women's team will have an opportunity to represent Vientiane to compete at the 10th National Games in Oudomxay province in December.
With competition set to take place along the Mekong River from October 8-9, there were 27 men's teams (12 rowers) from Vientiane who fought it out in the sports boats racing events over distances from 400 to 500 metres.
Meanwhi...
- Title
- Korean govt supports green development in Laos
- Runtime
- 1:50
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- The Republic of Korea has, for about 10 years, been supporting the Lao government’s efforts to expand green areas in the country through reafforestation and forest protection and has now committed to continue following the signing of a new agreement.
The signing was done at the 4th Dialogue meeting for the establishment of the Asian Forest Cooperation Organisation or Dialogue-AFoCO in Vientiane which took place on September 30 to October 1.
Korea will support forest protection at an initial cost of about US$2 million in conducting works on rehabilitation, sustainable forest management and green growth development.
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Mr Vilayvanh Phomkhe mentioned at the meeting on Tuesday morning that the current situation for forestry in Laos, based on Food and Agriculture Organisation standards, showed that over 67 percent of the land area is covered in forest.
Forests have a very real value for both rural and national...
- Title
- Lao PM stresses energy security and sustainable future in Asean
- Runtime
- 2:57
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong has highlighted the importance of renewable energy in ensuring energy security and a sustainable future in Asean and urged future cooperation in research and development.
Speaking at the 32nd Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) which opened yesterday in Vientiane, Mr Thongsing took the opportunity to highlight hydropower as an abundant renewable energy source in Laos, which the country wishes to further harness and export to the region.
He noted that during the 32nd Senior Officials Meeting on Energy and Related Meetings in Luang Prabang last June, it was agreed that electricity generated from large scale hydropower plants should be included in the renewable energy grouping, thereby effectively increasing Asean’s use of renewable energy.
The Lao PM also urged Asean nations to continue studies on the renewable energy market and provide necessary funding for the promotion of environmentally friendly green ene...
- Title
- Laos pushes for energy integration
- Runtime
- 2:48
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- Laos will push for the acceleration of energy integration under the Asean Power Grid (APG) to address the imbalance in the distribution of power-generating resources in the region.
The Energy Policy and Planning Department Director General Dr Daovong Phonekeo told Lao media during a senior official meeting in Vientiane yesterday to prepare for the 32nd Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) today.
The move comes after energy integration has been talked about for years but the project has not progressed, it is still largely as before.
Dr Daovong, who is also the senior official for Laos, said any integration was mainly conducted among neighbouring countries, not broadly and systematically connected to the wider Asean countries.
“We will take the opportunity of the 32nd Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting in Vientiane to push for the acceleration of energy integration in Asean,” he said.
The APG aimed to connect countries with...
- Title
- Laos-Russia to deepen ties, cooperation
- Runtime
- 3:32
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- Lao leaders and visiting Speaker of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, Ms Valentina Matvienko reiterated that both sides wanted to expand relations between the two countries.
Ms Matvienko was in Laos to attend the 35th General Assembly of the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). She also paid an official goodwill visit to the country on this occasion in response to an invitation from her Lao counterpart Ms Pany Yathotou.
The Federation Council's Speaker held bilateral talks with Ms Pany on Saturday. After the talks, the Speaker and her delegates paid courtesy calls to President Choummaly Sayasone and Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong.
- Title
- Vientiane AIPA adopts resolutions to boost community building
- Runtime
- 2:12
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- The 35th General Assembly of the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) closed yesterday in Vientiane after adopting a number of documents and resolutions were reviewed to enhance the AIPA's role in Asean community building.
In her closing remark, President of the 35th AIPA General Assembly Ms Pany Yathotou, who is also President of the National Assembly of Laos, said the General Assembly closed with success in accordance with plan.
“The 35th AIPA General Assembly has concluded in accordance with the set objectives and goals,” she told the closing ceremony.
Held under the theme ‘Strengthening Parliamentary Cooperation in the Asean Community Building', the 35th General Assembly adopted the Resolution on Parliamentary Cooperation in the Asean Political-Security Community.
Other adopted documents included resolution on fostering a green growth development strategy in Asean, as well as a resolution on promoting entrepreneurship in the ...
- Title
- President receives AIPA delegates
- Runtime
- 2:43
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- President Choummaly Sayasone received a courtesy visit from delegates of the 35th Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) yesterday, which is being hosted in Vientiane from September 14-20.
Welcoming the delegates at the Presidential Palace, the Lao president spoke highly of the visit to Laos in order to attend the 35th AIPA. He said it was his honour and he was delighted to receive the guests.
President Choummaly congratulated and thanked the heads of delegations and their delegates for their attendance at the 35th AIPA hosted by Laos, saying that their participation reflected the support from the AIPA member parliaments being extended to Laos in hosting the meeting.
In his welcoming remarks, President Choummaly spoke of the important status of the AIPA member parliaments in representing the rights and interests of the people.
He acknowledged that the parliaments were playing an important role in bridging the people and the governments.<...
- Title
- AIPA General Assembly opens in Vientiane
- Runtime
- 4:00
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- The 35th Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) General Assembly kicked off in Vientiane today in the final phase of preparations for the establishment of the Asean Community in 2015.
President of the Lao National Assembly and President of the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Ms Pany Yathotou addressed the opening ceremony of the AIPA General Assembly meeting before the welcome speech by Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong.
The opening of the 35th AIPA meeting witnessed various cultural performances and was followed by the first plenary session where the leaders of 10 AIPA member delegations delivered the significance of the AIPA meeting in Laos and what more needs to be done in order to enhance the AIPA cooperation in the advent of the Asean Community in 2015.
Deputy Secretary-General of the Asean and leaders of observer delegations from Australia, Belarus, China, India, Japan and the Republic of Korea also delivered their statements at the mee...
- Title
- Asean education ministers meeting kicks off in Vientiane
- Runtime
- 2:36
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- The 8th Asean Education Ministers Meeting (8th ASED) kicked off yesterday in Vientiane to discuss future cooperation on human resource development among the regional bloc.
In his opening remarks, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Sports Dr Phankham Viphavanh said the meeting provided a platform for the Asean ministers to develop a vision, discuss future directions and identify priorities for educational cooperation in Asean.
In particular, the meeting discussed the formulation of the post-2015 Asean Work Plan on Education for 2016-2020.
The meeting is taking place at a time when 10 Asean member countries are preparing for the establishment of the Asean community by 2015.
“Your presence at this Asean Education Ministers Meeting represents the solidarity, good relations, peace and cooperation between Asean member states,” he told the meeting.
The minister stressed that the meeting was significant for the...
- Title
- Senior Asean officials shape future education plan
- Runtime
- 2:32
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- The 9th Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Education (9th SOM-ED) kicked off in Vientiane yesterday, aiming to discuss the post-2015 vision of the 10-member regional bloc.
The Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) will also be evaluating the shortcomings and the progress made in implementing the five-year Work Plan (2011-15) on education cooperation in Asean.
Head of the Lao SOM delegation Assoc Prof. Dr Sisamone Sithirajvongsa said outcomes of the 9th SOM-ED would be submitted to the 8th Asean Education Ministers Meeting (8th ASED), which is scheduled to take place tomorrow in Vientiane, to be considered by the Asean education ministers.
Participants in the 9th SOM-ED are also set to discuss ways to address shortcomings in implementing cooperation activities under the current action plan.
The senior officials will be discussing cooperation activities which need to be carried out further, while exploring new areas for future cooperation, said Dr Sis...
- Title
- Laos strives to end illiteracy by 2015
- Runtime
- 2:56
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- Laos has set a goal to wipe out illiteracy by 2015, through strengthening and expanding the education system across the nation despite challenges still facing the sector.
This comment was made by Deputy Minister of Education and Sports Mr Lytou Bouapao, who revealed the ambitious plan on Friday to mark the 49th anniversary of International Literacy Day (September 8).
Mr Lytou said, “All sectors should strengthen and expand the education system in order to turn our ‘Education for All' plan into reality.”
The theme for International Literacy Day 2014 is ‘Literacy and Sustainable Development'. Literacy is one of the key elements needed to promote sustainable development, as it empowers people to make the right decisions in the areas of economic growth, social development and environmental integration.
Mr Lytou said the most important thing was to urge all education departments, districts, teachers and village leaders around the c...
- Title
- More than 60 viruses found in Lao wildlife
- Runtime
- 2:55
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- A total of 68 types of viruses have been found in Lao wildlife, with trade and consumption of wild animals remaining widespread.
The results of the analytical survey of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), which began conducting the Emerging Pandemic Threats Programme (PREDICT) in Laos in 2010, was revealed at a meeting held on Friday in Vientiane to review the work of the project.
The project received the support from United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and has observed wildlife trade at 93 sites between 2010 and 2013.
During the project, the experts collected 10,609 samples from 2,593 species of animals in places where contact between humans and wildlife was frequent, in particular wildlife markets and villages with residents hunting wildlife.
Of the 68 viruses, 39 are coronaviruses, 25 are astroviruses, three are herpes viruses and one is simian foamy virus.
Coronaviruses and astroviruses we...
- Title
- Traffic chaos in Vientiane after morning deluge
- Runtime
- 2:36
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- Torrential rain in Vientiane yesterday morning caused traffic chaos on the second day of the new school year as flooded streets and sidewalks caused further delays on the already congested streets.
The storm was fairly localised but the rain was so heavy that many of the city’s roads and houses were soon flooded, making the many potholes even more difficult to navigate than usual.
Many streets in Vientiane were soon blocked with traffic as office workers and schoolchildren struggled to reach their destinations on time. The flooded roads meant that everyone had to drive in low gear, causing long lines of traffic to back up.
Most vehicles were able to get through the floods but a few engines died when the water became too deep. The drivers were forced to get out and push and to call for help on their mobile phones.
Mrs Bouasoy Luangnikone, who lives on Thadeua Road, told Vientiane Times it was impossible to get her children to s...
- Title
- Ministry battles to ensure children finish primary school
- Runtime
- 3:42
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- The main challenge facing the Ministry of Education and Sports and its development partners is the need to ensure that many more children complete primary school.
Currently, only 77.5 percent of all children attending primary school in Laos actually complete their studies. The ministry’s aim is to raise this figure to 95 percent by 2015 as one of the targets set under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Speaking at a press conference in Vientiane yesterday at the start of the 2014-15 academic year, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Sports Dr Phankham Viphavanh called on state and private school administrators and education officials around the country to step up efforts to address the challenges facing the sector.
Figures show that only about two-thirds of children nationwide complete their primary education, with children from remote villages in the most educationally disadvantaged districts facing the greatest hurdles.
<...
- Title
- Laos, Argentina strengthen cooperation
- Runtime
- 3:06
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- Laos and Argentina have affirmed their desire to strengthen cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks for the mutual benefit of both nations.
Senior government officials from the two countries made the affirmation at a meeting held in Vientiane yesterday.
An Argentinean foreign affairs delegation led by Undersecretary of Foreign Policy Ms Carolina Perez Colman made the historic visit to Laos, the two countries having established diplomatic relations on July 24, 1975.
Speaking at the bilateral meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Sounthone Xayachak said she highly valued the historic visit by the high-level Argentinean foreign affairs delegation.
She said the visit was a significant contribution to the expansion of fruitful cooperation between the two countries.
At the meeting, Ms Colman briefed her Lao counterpart on social and economic developments in Arge...
- Title
- New propaganda head assumes post
- Runtime
- 2:31
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- Head of the National Academy for Politics and Public Administration Prof. Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphithoun yesterday took his new post at the Party Central Committee's Propaganda and Training Board (PTB).
At the Party's prestige organ, Prof. Dr Kikeo was appointed as the head of the board and also the organ's Party organisation secretary.
The Politburo appointment was made after the organ's Deputy Head Mr Sisouk Philavong served as acting head over the past two months following the death of the former Head Mr Cheuang Sombounkhanh in the plane crash in Xieng Khuang province on May 17.
Prof. Dr Kikeo is also a member of the National Assembly's Seventh (current) Legislature.
At the announcement ceremony, the Party Central Committee's (PCC) Personnel Committee Head and member of the PCC Secretariat Mr Chansy Phosikham said Prof. Dr Kikeo has ability and skill in political theory and ideology and his coming to the Head of PTB would enhance the dr...
- Title
- Laos needs to raise awareness on human rights
- Runtime
- 1:42
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- Senior officials of the Lao government, representatives, experts and stakeholders gathered on Friday for a meeting on ‘UN Human Rights Council Special Procedures' to discuss how to provide information and raise awareness and understanding of the work of UN Special Rapporteurs.
The meeting was also organised for the implementation of the recommendations listed in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) for the Lao government and to specifically consider inviting Special Rapporteurs on human rights to visit Laos.
Head of the President's Office and Chairman of the Lao National Steering Committee on Human Rights, Mr Phongsavath Boupha, said in his opening remarks that, based on its foreign policy of peace, independence, friendship and cooperation, the government is constructively engaged with the UN human rights bodies and mechanisms.
“Laos is a party to 7 UN core human rights treaties and focuses all its efforts to implement treaty obligations in goo...
- Title
- Driving to Sangthong now quicker and easier
- Runtime
- 3:06
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- Sangthong district is over 80 kilometres from Vientiane but it doesn't take long to get there now thanks to the newly upgraded National Road no. 11.
Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong along with ministers and deputy ministers and others officials spent less than an hour to travel to the handover and opening ceremony for Road No. 11 in the district on Friday evening.
The travel time from Vientiane city centre to Sangthong district previously took almost two hours because the road was mostly unpaved and full of potholes and stones.
The rebuilt road runs from Sikhai junction in Sikhottabong district to the Namsang Bridge in Sangthong district, and has an asphalt surface10 metres wide.
Minister of Public Works and Transport Dr Bounchanh Sinlavong said at the ceremony that Road No. 11 had been funded by Thailand.
The Laos government took out a loan from Thailand's Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Neda...
- Title
- Renovation of Hor Phra Keo Museum to start soon
- Runtime
- 2:24
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- The restoration project of Hor Phra Keo Museum, the most impressive and interesting tourist site in Vientiane is set to kick off this year after many parts of the building both inside and outside have become worn-out.
Work on the project requires funding of about 7-8 billion kip to buy materials to replace broken and damaged parts of the museum building, including walls, roof and floor tiles. The renovation is scheduled to take 12 months to complete once sufficient budget is in place, the national committee in charge has said.
In preparation for the project, the committee has plans to hold a ceremony in October to officially kick start the fundraising drive from the public and other donors, both locally and overseas, to contribute to the work.
The information was confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Sports Dr Phankham Viphavanh, who is in charge of social culture affairs, while meeting with senior officials and committee in c...
- Title
- Small firms, hydropower and mining receive World Bank financing
- Runtime
- 2:32
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- The government and the World Bank Group have signed two new agreements, with the international financier to extend funding of almost US$40 million to the small enterprise, mining and hydropower sectors.
The signing ceremony took place in Vientiane yesterday between Deputy Minister of Finance Ms Thipphakone Chanthavongsa and the World Bank Country Director for South East Asia Mr Ulrich Zachau.
The new support includes a US$10 million grant Small and Medium Enterprise Access to Finance Project, which will also receive US$10 million in credit from the International Development Association and at least US$4 million from the International Finance Corporation in risk sharing funds.
The project will provide long term credit to small firms and help them to grow and create more jobs in the economy.
The government of Laos and the World Bank Group also signed an agreement to continue technical assistance to Laos in managing its hydropower and mining r...
- Title
- PM pushes for more rice seed studies plap plap
- Runtime
- 2:25
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong has urged technical experts in the agriculture and forestry sectors to further their efforts in producing new varieties of rice seeds that generate hardy plants and higher yields in order to meet the needs of farmers.
Prime Minister Thongsing made this announcement while meeting with senior officials and technical experts from Hadxaifong district in Vientiane yesterday.
This was part of his delegation's tour to the Phanphet Agriculture Development Farm, where he stressed that officials at all levels should increase their efforts in agricultural research and distribute information on seed cultivation.
The prime minister's aim was to inform local officials at the farm to monitor their practical work and determine which areas of their research and development programme they should focus on to ensure farmers have high-quality seeds.
The public is aware that the resolution passed by the Ninth Party Congress on...
- Title
- Age-old Japanese cuisine comes to Laos
- Runtime
- 1:10
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- The first ever Japanese Food Festival in Vientiane attracted hundreds of guests to the Lao Plaza hotel on Thursday evening, with guests seeking to sample some fine Japanese cuisine in Laos.
The festival featured a variety of the Japanese dishes, allowing hundreds of foreign diplomats to Laos, invited guests and media representatives to try the taste of a Japanese tuna or maguro , as well as Japanese beef, Bungo-gyu and sushi made with Japanese rice from Niigata and Hokkaido.
This event, also entitled ‘Enjo y Washoku (Japanese cuisine) Reception' was hosted by Mr Tadaatsu Iwase, Deputy Director General of the Food Industry Affairs Bureau under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan.
“ Washoku is an essential part of the Japanese culture with a very long history,” Japanese Ambassador to Laos, Mr Hiroyuki Kishino said at the gathering, noting that two of the characteristics of Japanese cuisine include the Jap...
- Title
- Calls for help going unanswered, foundation laments
- Runtime
- 2:50
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- The Foundation for Assisting the Poor People of Laos is experiencing difficulties receiving telephone calls from civilians who are seeking the assistance from its volunteer rescue teams.
Mr Phaychith Konephathoum, a volunteer rescue squad member told Vientiane Times about the issue at the opening ceremony of their second headquarters near That Luang om Friday, which was established in a bid to improve the team's emergency response times.
The foundation's existing headquarters in Phontong village, Chanthabouly district is located in the city centre, which means it can take rescue teams a long time to reach accidents on the outskirts of the city.
The second headquarters will enable rescue teams to reach areas such as Dongdok or Nonghai in a shorter amount of time but their efforts are being negated by the fact the phone line is not functioning properly.
The difficulty is that the foundation still has no hotline number with four or five ...
- Title
- Govt aims to deal with land disputes
- Runtime
- 1:51
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- Policy developers are exploring ways to deal with land disputes and precautionary measures to prevent issues from arising in the wake of land leases and concessions for investment projects.
Representatives from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Planning and Investment and their provincial departments along with officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs met yesterday in Vientiane to discuss possible solutions.
Experts from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) were invited to share lessons on various land-related topics including economic appraisal techniques for state land concessions and leases, as well as social and gender risk assessment for state land concessions and leases.
In his opening remarks at the two-day workshop, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Mr Sisavath Vithaxay said there were several issues that had emerged associated with land concessions and leases.
Land concessions and leas...
- Title
- fair treatment among patients confirmed.
- Runtime
- 3:46
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- Title
- Vientiane Times
- Runtime
- 3:10
- Date posted
- 12 years ago
- Description
- Title
- Young people flock to the temples for Buddhist lent
- Runtime
- 3:04
- Date posted
- 13 years ago
- Description
- The Buddhist lent ( Boun Khao Phansa ) started yesterday with increasing numbers of Lao young people nationwide set to attend the important Buddhist ceremonies to make merit at their local temples.
According to an old man named Uncle Orkard who works taking care of Simeuang temple in Vientiane, the number has increased though his observation compared to the same day last year.
Mr Orkard said it is currently summer holidays for students so they have plenty of free time, while parents are an important factor when it comes to encouraging young people to present offerings to the monks in the temples.
He observed that the increasing numbers of young people is a good sign to lead the youth to learn their national culture and conserve local traditions. Listening to the monks' moral teachings may help them to learn what they should or shouldn't do when going about their daily lives.
"I feel good and my mind is clear and calm when I attend the...
- Title
- NA members raise concerns about development authorisations
- Runtime
- 2:54
- Date posted
- 13 years ago
- Description
- Coordination mechanisms and procedures for project authorisation are a concern among National Assembly (NA) members who have cautioned that many authorised development projects have caused social, environmental and other negative impacts.
NA members questioned the Minister of Planning and Investment Mr Somdy Duangdy on the matter at the ongoing NA session, pointing out the Talat Sao Shopping Mall, Regal Megamall City and 450-Year Road projects as examples of cases where disputes have arisen.
In his response to the queries, the minister explained to the session about the procedures required, while admitting there were shortcomings in the coordination between the ministry, related bodies and local authorities.
According to Mr Somdy, all concession projects must be authorised by the relevant government agencies at the central level.
He said despite the fact the participation of local authorities was stipulated in the development agreement it d...
- Title
- NA session opens with the economy a hot issue
- Runtime
- 2:22
- Date posted
- 13 years ago
- Description
- The government debt payment measures will be the hottest issue of debate at the ongoing seventh ordinary session of the National Assembly (NA) due to the issue challenging the state budget.
The session opened yesterday in Vientiane and will continue until July 25.
President Choummaly Sayasone, Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong , along with other senior Party and government officials, parliamentarians and invited guests attended the opening ceremony.
In her opening remarks, NA President Ms Pany Yathortou highlighted the economic instability in the world, while the country is stepping up to the conclusion of implementing the Seventh Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP).
She noted the fluctuating world economy, disease outbreaks and natural disasters, which have continued happening, have direct and indirect impacts to the growth in the region and in the world.
Minister of Planning and Investment Mr Somdy Du...
- Title
- Australia pledges AU$86 million education aid for Laos
- Runtime
- 2:41
- Date posted
- 13 years ago
- Description
- The government of Australia has announced it will provide AU$86 million (more than 648.5 billion kip) in aid to finance basic education programmes in Laos over the next four years, the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said.
The announcement was made during the official visit to Laos by Australian foreign minister Ms Julie Bishop, the ministry said in a press release.
Ms Bishop and her delegation arrived in Laos on July 4 for a two-day official visit in response to an invitation from her Lao counterpart Mr Thongloun Sisoulith.
In addition, the Australian government has announced it will provide further aid amounting to AU$55.6 million (more than 419.3 billion kip) to Laos for 2014-2015, an increase from the AU$52.9 million given for 2013-2014.
At the talks held on Saturday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Thongloun, on behalf of the Lao government and people, expressed heartfelt thanks to the government and people of Australia for t...
- Title
- Another MK82 found in Sangthong district
- Runtime
- 2:40
- Date posted
- 13 years ago
- Description
- www.vientianetimes.org.la
Another MK82 found in Sangthong district
The National Regulatory Authority for UXO/Mine Action in Laos (UXO-NRA)
staff and specialists from the Army Engineering Department have successfully removed a 500 pound MK82 bomb from Nayai Chaleun village in Sangthong district, Vientiane on Monday.
The MK82 was unexpectedly found a few weeks ago during a dig to judge the land level for a dispensary construction project being carried out in the village.
Head of the UXO Search and Destroy Section of the Engineering Department at the Ministry of National Defence, Major Southone Theva, said "Today we have successfully defused the 500 pound bomb and removed it from the village. However, it was quite a challenge for us as it was a large bomb and was located very close to the village with a chance of damaging a circular area of up to 1,500 metres if something went wrong."
According to a report fro m the UXO-NRA,...
- Title
- Laos-Vietnam opens 8th international checkpoint
- Runtime
- 2:42
- Date posted
- 13 years ago
- Description
- Saravan province : Lao and Vietnamese high ranking officials gathered to open the Lalay International checkpoint between Saravan province in Laos and Quang Tri province in Vietnam yesterday.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Thongloun Sisoulith and his counterpart Mr Pham Binh Minh celebrated the opening of the international border checkpoint, while hundreds of delegates from both sides witnessed the event.
"This is the eighth international checkpoint between Laos and Vietnam out of the 47 traditional, national and international checkpoints that are currently seen along the north to south borderline in both countries," Mr Thongloun said at the opening ceremony.
"This international checkpoint is important in cementing the relationship, friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Saravan and Quang Tri provinces and will help to contribute towards the promotion of high volume trading among the provinces."
Upgrad...
- Title
- PM backs Sengdeuane to be leading food farm
- Runtime
- 2:04
- Date posted
- 13 years ago
- Description
- Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong has praised Sengdeuane Farm for making significant strides in its development and becoming a main food supplier for markets in Vientiane and other provinces, while advising the operator to continue expanding the business.
Mr Thongsing made the comments when visiting the farm yesterday to learn from the business owners about the opportunities and challenges they were facing amidst international economic integration and business competition.
Sengdeuane Farm is located in Thoulakhom district's Nanokkhoum village in Vientiane province. It is 100 percent Lao owned and operated and all technical experts and workers are Lao nationals.
The farm belongs to the Thedsombandith family with Ms Sengdeuane Thedsombandith as its managing director, who started the business in 2007 with a main focus on pig breeding. The farm currently has tens of thousands of pigs, of which some 1,500 of them are breeding sows.
Ms Sengdeua...
- Title
- Govt encourages constructive use of social media
- Runtime
- 3:10
- Date posted
- 13 years ago
- Description
Govt encourages constructive use of social media
The government wants to encourage the constructive use of social media and has no policy to shut it down, senior government offices have said.
However the relevant authorities are also looking at ways to restrict its inappropriate use by introducing legal documents to regulate the use of social media including Facebook -- the most popular social networking site in Laos.
Acting Director General of the Lao National Internet Centre under the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications Mr Keovisouk Solaphom confirmed that the Party and government do not have a policy to shut down social media.
"The Party [Lao People's Revolutionary Party]'s resolution resolved to strive for modernising and industrialising [Laos]. Social media is part of it," he said in a lecture on social media organised by Lao Press in Foreign Languages yesterday.
The confirmation was made as relevan...
