KPL
The Government of Japan has extended grant assistance worth 649 million yen (approximately USD 4.3 million) to the Lao PDR to support the establishment of a robust foundation for the country’s sustainable development.
The signing ceremony for the “Exchange of Notes on Economic and Social Development Programme (Geospatial Data Platform)” was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vientiane on Oct 22. The notes were signed by Japanese Ambassador Mr. KOIZUMI Tsutomu and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Phongsamouth Anlavan.
In Laos, most existing topographic maps were created between the 1950s and 2000s and no longer accurately represent current landforms, land use, or infrastructure. Many of these maps are merely scanned paper versions, making them incompatible with modern GIS systems and digital planning tools. To address this challenge, Japan’s grant will help Laos establish a modern geospatial foundation to support long-term, sustainable development.
The project aligns with the objectives of the National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) by advancing modern geospatial infrastructure that enhances land management, infrastructure development, and disaster resilience. In selected areas, hazard maps will be developed using satellite-based change detection technologies from Japanese satellites, enabling the early identification of terrain shifts and vulnerable zones.
Additionally, the initiative will update 1:50,000-scale topographic and landslide hazard maps and develop a national online geospatial data system, serving as a key step toward transforming Laos into a data-driven and resilient society. The project will utilize imagery from Japan’s Earth observation satellite Daichi to assess disaster risks such as landslides and employ high-precision satellite positioning technology from the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) Michibiki.
This collaboration will not only strengthen bilateral technical cooperation but also provide a strong basis for long-term stability and inclusive development in Laos.
The relationship between Japan and Laos continues to deepen, with both countries having recently elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Within this framework, Japan remains committed to addressing Laos’ developmental challenges and promoting diverse forms of cooperation to achieve sustainable economic and social progress.
KPL
