Laos strengthens access to justice at 2025 Legal Aid Annual Review Workshop

In a renewed commitment to expanding access to justice across the country, the Ministry of Justice, in partnership with LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency, successfully convened the annual review workshop on the implementation of legal aid services for 2025 in Vientiane Capital. The two-day event, held from 10 to 11 December 2025, served as a vital platform to assess progress, confront operational challenges and chart a strategic roadmap for the year ahead.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Mr Xayasack KEOMANYVONG, deputy director general of the Judicial Administration and System Promotion Department (Ministry of Justice), alongside Mr Khamphone SEPASERT, director general of International Cooperation (Ministry of Justice), and Mr Robert DE WAHA, regional representative of the LuxDev Asia Office. In his opening address, Mr KEOMANYVONG underscored the importance of strong multi-stakeholder collaboration in advancing legal aid in the Lao PDR.

Echoing this commitment, Mr Robert DE WAHA reaffirmed Luxembourg’s long-standing partnership in strengthening the legal sector:

The workshop brought together legal aid practitioners from 42 districts across 5 provinces (Bokeo, Luang Namtha, Vientiane Capital, Bolikhamxay and Khammouane), alongside representatives from provincial and district justice offices, the Lao Women’s Union, the Lao Bar Association, the Ministry of Justice, and key development partners including CEGGA-GIZ, BABSEACLE and The Asia Foundation.

Participants engaged in dynamic discussions to review achievements, exchange practical experiences and candidly address challenges encountered in delivering legal aid services over the past year. With the support of LuxDev’s Rule of law, access to justice and good governance (ROLAG) programme, legal aid offices showcased results and outlined strategies for 2026, with a strong focus on reaching vulnerable and marginalised populations.

This annual review workshop marks an important milestone in Laos’ continuing journey towards a more inclusive and accessible justice system, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of legal protection and rights.

The ROLAG programme is financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and jointly implemented by the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Education and Sports, LuxDev, ILSTA, and the University of Luxembourg.