Mekong Regional Land Governance Summer School Program

06.08.2019 — Position Laos
The 3rd MRLG-supported summer school at the Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development (RCSD) of Chiang Mai University, Thailand was successfully organised with 24 participants from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand and China. Six MRLG-funded master degree students at Chiang Mai University also participated. The participants work with CSOs, NGOs, academia and government. This mix was designed to promote a lively dynamic and healthy interaction. While they are from various sectors, their work has focused on similar issues such as Customary Tenure (CT), Large-Scale Land Acquisition (LSLA) and Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

Tourism and Hospitality Practical Training Facility opens in Laos

24.06.2019 — Press release Laos
A groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new Tourism and Hospitality practical training facility on the Vang Vieng campus of the Vientiane Province Technical College.

Knowledge for Development (K4D) Project Launch

03.04.2019 — Press release Laos
The kick-off meeting for the new Knowledge for Development (K4D) project took place in Vientiane, Laos on 3rd April, 2019. With the support of the Government of Switzerland, through Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the K4D project supports the efforts of the Government of the Lao PDR (GoL) in information sharing, integration and analysis towards well-informed planning and decision-making processes. 

Swiss Nutrition Support in Northern Laos

21.03.2019 — Press release Laos
From 19 - 21 March 2019, The Swiss Cooperation office in Vientiane, Laos visited the Enhancing Nutrition of Upland Farming Families (ENUFF) project in Oudomxay province implemented by SNV as the lead agency. Switzerland, through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) provides CHF 6.7 million for the first phase from 2016 to 2020. Project activities cover two priority provinces of Oudomxay and Houaphanh.

President of the Swiss Confederation Alain Berset: National Day 2018 greetings for the Swiss abroad

31.07.2018 — Press release Laos

Lao Agriculture Atlas to help in decision-making towards SDGs

21.06.2018 — Press release Laos
The Atlas of Agriculture in the Lao PDR. Patterns and trends between 1999 and 2011 was presented today in Vientiane. The new atlas – the first of its kind – contains detailed data on changes in agricultural production in Laos. The atlas is intended to serve in planning, decision-making, policymaking, and implementation of sustainable agriculture and sustainable rural development. The atlas was created jointly by the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) of the University of Bern and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) in Laos. Funding was provided by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Switzerland supports Enhancing Nutrition in Lao PDR

17.11.2017 — Press release Laos

Switzerland provides CHF 6.7 million for the first phase of the Enhancing Nutrition of Upland Farming Families (ENUFF) project in Lao PDR. The agreement was signed by H.E. Dr. Kikeo Chanthaboury, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment and Mr. Tim Enderlin, Director of Cooperation for the Mekong Region of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

Mekong Regional Land Governance Conference on Large Scale Agricultural Investment

15.11.2017 — Press release Laos

A regional conference, organized by Mekong Region Land Governance project, meet to explore the challenges of large-scale agricultural investments and to suggest solutions supportive of sustainable and pro-poor development, as well as economic growth.

Governance for Inclusive Development project agreement in Lao PDR

15.10.2017 — Press release Laos

The Government, in partnership with Switzerland, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), kicked off a programme today, aiming at strengthening service delivery that better responds to citizens’ needs.

Switzerland concludes a successful Land Governance Project in Laos

31.05.2017 — Press release Laos

A capitalization ceremony was held for the conclusion of Switzerland’s support to the Rights-LINk project on May 31 , 2016. In attendance for the event was Mr. Khamphone Lathsachak, Director General, Department of Agricultural Land Management; Mr. Tim Enderlin, Mekong Region Director of The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation; implementing project partner Mr. Richard Reece, Director, Village Focus International; representatives from the Government of Laos and members of the development community.

Switzerland supports Agro-Biodiversity and Land Use Planning in Lao PDR

15.05.2017 — Press release Laos

Switzerland and Laos agreed to continue strengthening the agriculture and forestry sector by enhancing the development of green agro-biodiversity related products and improving sustainable land management in the Northern Uplands. 

Switzerland Supports Agriculture and Forestry Education Reform in Lao PDR

06.03.2017 — Press release Laos

Switzerland provides CHF 5.1 million to third phase of the project for the Support to the Reform of the Agriculture and Forestry Colleges in Lao PDR (SURAFCO). A respective agreement was signed by H.E. Dr. Phouang Parisak Pravongviengkham, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry and Mr. Tim Enderlin, Director of Cooperation for the Mekong Region of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The renewed funding contributes to the development of skilled human resources needed to promote the modernisation of the agricultural and forestry sector in Lao PDR.

Tourism and Hospitality Practical Training Facility opens in Laos

24.06.2019 — Press release Laos
A groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new Tourism and Hospitality practical training facility on the Vang Vieng campus of the Vientiane Province Technical College.

Knowledge for Development (K4D) Project Launch

03.04.2019 — Press release Laos
The kick-off meeting for the new Knowledge for Development (K4D) project took place in Vientiane, Laos on 3rd April, 2019. With the support of the Government of Switzerland, through Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the K4D project supports the efforts of the Government of the Lao PDR (GoL) in information sharing, integration and analysis towards well-informed planning and decision-making processes. 

Swiss Nutrition Support in Northern Laos

21.03.2019 — Press release Laos
From 19 - 21 March 2019, The Swiss Cooperation office in Vientiane, Laos visited the Enhancing Nutrition of Upland Farming Families (ENUFF) project in Oudomxay province implemented by SNV as the lead agency. Switzerland, through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) provides CHF 6.7 million for the first phase from 2016 to 2020. Project activities cover two priority provinces of Oudomxay and Houaphanh.

President of the Swiss Confederation Alain Berset: National Day 2018 greetings for the Swiss abroad

31.07.2018 — Press release Laos

Lao Agriculture Atlas to help in decision-making towards SDGs

21.06.2018 — Press release Laos
The Atlas of Agriculture in the Lao PDR. Patterns and trends between 1999 and 2011 was presented today in Vientiane. The new atlas – the first of its kind – contains detailed data on changes in agricultural production in Laos. The atlas is intended to serve in planning, decision-making, policymaking, and implementation of sustainable agriculture and sustainable rural development. The atlas was created jointly by the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) of the University of Bern and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) in Laos. Funding was provided by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Switzerland supports Enhancing Nutrition in Lao PDR

17.11.2017 — Press release Laos

Switzerland provides CHF 6.7 million for the first phase of the Enhancing Nutrition of Upland Farming Families (ENUFF) project in Lao PDR. The agreement was signed by H.E. Dr. Kikeo Chanthaboury, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment and Mr. Tim Enderlin, Director of Cooperation for the Mekong Region of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

Mekong Regional Land Governance Conference on Large Scale Agricultural Investment

15.11.2017 — Press release Laos

A regional conference, organized by Mekong Region Land Governance project, meet to explore the challenges of large-scale agricultural investments and to suggest solutions supportive of sustainable and pro-poor development, as well as economic growth.

Governance for Inclusive Development project agreement in Lao PDR

15.10.2017 — Press release Laos

The Government, in partnership with Switzerland, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), kicked off a programme today, aiming at strengthening service delivery that better responds to citizens’ needs.

Switzerland concludes a successful Land Governance Project in Laos

31.05.2017 — Press release Laos

A capitalization ceremony was held for the conclusion of Switzerland’s support to the Rights-LINk project on May 31 , 2016. In attendance for the event was Mr. Khamphone Lathsachak, Director General, Department of Agricultural Land Management; Mr. Tim Enderlin, Mekong Region Director of The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation; implementing project partner Mr. Richard Reece, Director, Village Focus International; representatives from the Government of Laos and members of the development community.

Switzerland supports Agro-Biodiversity and Land Use Planning in Lao PDR

15.05.2017 — Press release Laos

Switzerland and Laos agreed to continue strengthening the agriculture and forestry sector by enhancing the development of green agro-biodiversity related products and improving sustainable land management in the Northern Uplands. 

Switzerland Supports Agriculture and Forestry Education Reform in Lao PDR

06.03.2017 — Press release Laos

Switzerland provides CHF 5.1 million to third phase of the project for the Support to the Reform of the Agriculture and Forestry Colleges in Lao PDR (SURAFCO). A respective agreement was signed by H.E. Dr. Phouang Parisak Pravongviengkham, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry and Mr. Tim Enderlin, Director of Cooperation for the Mekong Region of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The renewed funding contributes to the development of skilled human resources needed to promote the modernisation of the agricultural and forestry sector in Lao PDR.

Switzerland Supports the Poverty Reduction Fund in Lao PDR

14.12.2016 — Press release Laos

Switzerland agrees to contribute CHF 18 million to the Poverty Reduction Fund (PRF) to Lao PDR. Mr. Tim Enderlin, Director of Cooperation for the Mekong Region of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Mrs. Thipphakone Chanthavongsa, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Finance formalized the agreement during the Round Table Implementation Meeting in Vientiane Province on the 25th of November, 2016. The renewed funding contributes to the efforts of Lao PDR to implement the National Socio-Economic Plan. 

Mekong Regional Land Governance Summer School Program

06.08.2019 — Position Laos
The 3rd MRLG-supported summer school at the Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development (RCSD) of Chiang Mai University, Thailand was successfully organised with 24 participants from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand and China. Six MRLG-funded master degree students at Chiang Mai University also participated. The participants work with CSOs, NGOs, academia and government. This mix was designed to promote a lively dynamic and healthy interaction. While they are from various sectors, their work has focused on similar issues such as Customary Tenure (CT), Large-Scale Land Acquisition (LSLA) and Special Economic Zone (SEZ).