Laos

The COVID-19 Development Response Plan for Laos has been extended through 2022-23.

This independent review is of the AUD 80 million, Phase 1 of the Basic Education Quality and Access in Lao PDR Program (BEQUAL). BEQUAL commenced in May 2015 with the goal of “more boys and girls of primary school-age, particularly those experiencing disadvantage, achieve functional literacy and numeracy.”

Our development cooperation factsheets outline our Official Development Assistance budget, strategic direction and program highlights.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong was honoured to meet with Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Saleumxay Kommasith. Australia and Laos share a long history of bilateral cooperation, and this year celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations.

Australia is committed to working in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports by building on the success of Basic Education and Quality Access program Phase 1 with a second phase – aiming to support the Ministry to respond to the learning crisis challenge especially to improve primary student learning outcomes.

During a visit to Vientiane to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Laos, Australia's Foreign Minister announced new initiatives to deepen our cooperation to support a secure, prosperous and resilient region.

Australia and Lao PDR held the 7th bilateral Human Rights Dialogue on 9 December 2021 by videoconference.  

Lao PDR Competitiveness and Trade (LCT) Project is a multi-donor program administered by the World Bank and implemented by the National Implementation Unit (NIU) of Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC) in Lao PDR. LCT was designed for the period January 2019- December 2022 with funding from Australia (AUD 4.5 million), USAID (USD 3 million from September 2019), Irish Aid (EUR 360,000) and a World Bank IDA loan (USD 10 million).