60th anniversary of Lao-German Development Cooperation: Building a sustainable future together.

Vientiane, [12 November 2024] – This year marks the 60th anniversary of the development cooperation between Laos and Germany. West Germany and Laos agreed to establish the cooperation in 1963 and started to actively cooperate in 1964. At that time Germany was managing its reconstruction efforts after World War II and was divided into two states until the end of the “cold war” in 1990. Likewise, Laos was affected by those turbulent times and suffered from conflicts of the Vietnam wars. In 1975 the Lao PDR was founded. The country joined ASEAN in 1997 and the World Trade Organisation in 2013.

Since the beginning of the cooperation, Germany provided more than EUR 570 million in development funds for Laos, working closely with government partners, civil society and businesses. Today, all projects are jointly implemented and reach from the village level to the highest policy level.

In Laos’ northern provinces 530 communities are making agriculture and forestry sustainable, preventing millions of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. Together with villagers of Nong Ping at Hin Nam No national park a ranger group consisting of villagers, local police, military and park management was set up. This is one example, how Germany supports Laos to protect the unique biodiversity of the Annemites and to create sources of income through sustainable tourism. The National Park is now nominated to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Furthermore, to increase citizen engagement in national development small grants are provided to civil society organisations for projects that benefit the country´s development.

From the very beginning, both former East and West Germany supported Laos in strengthening the education sector and building roads, water supply and electricity systems. Several thousand Laotians received scholarships to study medicine, engineering, forestry, and economics at East German universities. Many more learned vocational trades in electronics, building, metal work, and automotive repairs. More than 11,000 Laotians studied at the Lao-German Technical College in Vientiane that was established in 1964 and still is a flagship of Lao-German cooperation today.

A close and trustful relationship with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry began in 1975, when Laos with its rich forest resources, had only 11 trained forestry specialists. Through a governmental agreement of 1983, the existing forestry school in Dong Dok was elevated to a centre for training forestry experts. About 1000 Laotians received technical training there, before the centre was upgraded into a college in 1989. To this day Germany cooperates closely with the National University of Laos in the education of forestry professionals.

Many further joint achievements took place since then, such as the establishment of Laos’ first computer centre at Pakpasak School in 1990, when typewriters and calculators were delivered in order to train office staff. The introduction of the digital cadastre system LaoLandReg and the Land Use Information System (LUIS) ensure that land resources are managed effectively and equitably for the benefit of all citizens.

Commemorating a 60-year journey, Laos and Germany reflect on shared achievements and reaffirm their commitment to continuing this valuable partnership.