KPL
The government of Japan has provided approximately US$4.5 million (673 million yen) in grant aid to support regional development in the southern provinces of Sekong, Salavan, and Champasak through the accelerated clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO).
A signing ceremony for the Exchange of Notes for the Project for Regional Development through Acceleration of the Clearance of Unexploded Ordnance in the Southern Provinces (Phase 3) took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vientiane. The notes were signed by Mr. Koizumi Tsutomu, Ambassador of Japan to the Lao PDR, and Mr. Anouparb Vongnorkeo, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Under this project, Japan’s grant will fund equipment procurement and clearance activities in the three southern provinces — continuing support that has been provided over the past two years. The initiative aims to accelerate UXO clearance, improve community safety, and free up land for productive use, contributing directly to local and regional socio-economic development.
An estimated 80 million unexploded ordnance items remain scattered across Lao PDR, posing ongoing threats to lives and livelihoods and impeding agricultural and infrastructure development. To address this persistent challenge, the Lao Government has designated “Protecting Lives from Unexploded Ordnance” as its 18th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), underscoring its strong national commitment to UXO clearance and victim assistance.
Through this project, UXO clearance in the targeted provinces is expected to be significantly accelerated, making larger areas of land safe for cultivation and development while building local human resource capacity for sustainable clearance operations in the future.
Japan’s assistance in the UXO sector is comprehensive and long-standing, encompassing not only financial aid but also technical cooperation through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) project on Human Resource Development to Strengthen Organizational Capacity of UXO Lao. Japanese NGOs such as JMAS and Terra Renaissance also play active roles in supporting clearance and community rehabilitation activities.
Japan reaffirmed its commitment to continuing cooperation tailored to Laos’ specific needs to promote sustainable and efficient UXO clearance. The two nations recently elevated their relations to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership”, reflecting deepening ties and shared priorities for peace, safety, and development.
“From this perspective, Japan will continue to address the various challenges facing Laos, and together we will advance multifaceted cooperation for the country’s sustainable economic and social development,” Ambassador Koizumi affirmed.
KPL
