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.

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.

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.

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