Luxembourg, Laos Sign €95m Indicative Cooperation Programme Agreement

Luxembourg and Laos, one of the priority partner countries of Luxembourg's development cooperation programme, have concluded a new Indicative Cooperation Programme (ICP), covering the period from 2022 to 2026.

Franz Fayot, Luxembourg's Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, and Sonexay Siphandone, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and Investment of Laos, held a remote signing ceremony during the 13th Partnership Commission, which took place via videoconference on Thursday 8 July 2021.

The new ICP is a continuation of the previous programme, which had a total budget of €94 million and which will end in 2021. The new cooperation programme continues to focus on development rural areas, healthcare access, vocational training and the strengthening of the rule of law. The Luxembourg development cooperation's interventions are also aligned with the 9th socio-economic development plan of Laos (2021-2025), the aim of which is to achieve national development goals and the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The total budget for the new ICP amounts to €95 million.

The meeting was also an opportunity to have a political dialogue at ministerial level, in which Minister Franz Fayot pointed out that the implementation of the 5th ICP, in addition to aligning with the successes achieved by its predecessor, will put an emphasis on integrated human capital development and institutional strengthening. Future interventions aim to leave no one behind, paying particular attention to the cross-cutting thematic priorities of Luxembourg's development cooperation programme, in particular respect for human rights, gender equality and the empowerment of women, change climate and environmental sustainability, as well as digitalisation.

The Luxembourg Minister also addressed the human rights situation, respect of which is essential for strengthening the rule of law in Laos.