Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, left, accompanies his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong to inspect the Guard of Honour of the Lao People's Army in Vientiane on Oct 11, 2024

(KPL) This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Lao PDR and Singapore, a relationship that has grown strength to strength since diplomatic ties were officially established on 2 December 1974.

It is a testament to a longstanding friendship rooted in collaboration, strong partnerships and a commitment to regional cooperation.

Both countries look forward to a future of sustainable development, mutual growth, and vibrant people-to-people connections.

Diplomatic Highlights

The Lao PDR and Singapore’s relations have continued to flourish, highlighted by high-level visits from both sides. Notably in July 2024, Prime Minister, Mr. Sonexay Siphandone, made an Official Visit to Singapore, where he witnessed the signing of two MOUs on Carbon Credits Collaboration and Education Cooperation. Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s Official Visit to the Lao PDR is the latest in a series of exchanges that demonstrate the robust ties between both countries.

Senior Lao leaders have also visited Singapore under the Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship (LKYEF). Just this year alone, Singapore hosted three Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellows from the Lao PDR: Head of Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee Commission for External Relations, Mr.  Thongsavanh Phomvihane (March 2024), and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr. Bounkham Vorachit, and Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mr. Malaithong Kommasith, (July 2024). 

Bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and his delegation, and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his delegation in Vientiane on Oct 11, 2024

Human Capital & Technical Cooperation

A cornerstone of Laos-Singapore relations is technical cooperation, particularly in human capital development.

Since 1992, close to 17,000 Lao officials have participated in the Singapore Cooperation Programme. The number includes 120 senior officials who have participated in the "English Language Training for Senior Laotian Officials" programme over the past two decades, with notable graduates including President Thongloun Sisoulith and Vice President Pany Yathotou. Singapore is also happy to announce a new Leadership and Governance Training Programme for senior Lao officials, which will begin next year.

The Lao PDR assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024 with the theme of “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”. In strong support of the Lao PDR’s Chairmanship, Singapore has provided more capacity building programmes for Lao officials, on topics such as report writing, and public presentation skills as part of the Laos-Singapore  Enhanced Cooperation Package.

A Green, Sustainable Future Together

The Lao PDR and Singapore are united in their pursuit of a green economy. Phase 2 of the Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP) was launched in September 2024, doubling renewable energy trade to 200MW – enough to power about 280,000 households in Singapore. This is a significant step towards establishing the ASEAN Power Grid, advancing energy security and resilience in the region. Singapore’s Keppel Energy has also partnered with Thailand’s PSG Corporation to explore renewable energy opportunities in the Lao PDR, including pumped-storage hydroelectricity and solar power, to export low-carbon electricity to Singapore. The Lao PDR and Singapore are also working towards a legally binding framework on carbon credits collaboration.

Healthcare Cooperation

Healthcare is a burgeoning area of cooperation between the Lao PDR and Singapore. The NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (SPH) is partnering with the Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute and the Lao PDR University of Health Sciences (UHS) on a programme that was launched in February 2023 for public health research and collaborative teaching and training.

The Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) is also working with the Lao National Ophthalmology Centre (NOC) to improve the quality of eye care in Laos.

Medical teams from Singapore have also visited the Lao PDR over the years to conduct hundreds of pro bono surgeries, including cataract and cleft clip surgeries in 2024.

People-to-People Connections

People-to-people exchanges remain an integral part of Laos-Singapore relations. Singapore youth and students frequently visit the Lao PDR for overseas service learning and cultural exchange programmes, fostering mutual understanding and strong community ties.

These visits are coordinated by Singapore’s tertiary institutions and organisations like Firefly Mission, YMCA of Singapore, Social Collider, and the National Youth Council (NYC).

NYC has various programmes and maintains links with the Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union, and regularly invites Lao youth leaders for ASEAN initiatives that it organises.

Such initiatives include the ASEAN Youth Fellowship, which will take place in November 2024 in both Singapore and Laos.

Singapore has awarded 20 ASEAN Scholarships to Lao secondary school students, 27 Singapore Scholarships to Lao students pursuing undergraduate studies, and four scholarships to Lao officials to pursue postgraduate studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. We welcome more Lao students and officials to pursue their studies in Singapore.

Humanitarian Aid in Times of Need

Following Typhoon Yagi, the Republic of Singapore Air Force deployed a C-130 to deliver the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance’s disaster relief supplies to the Lao PDR in September 2024, while the Singapore armed forces donated water, field rations, thermal blankets and water filtration pumps. The Singapore Red Cross also contributed S$50,000 in August 2024 to support the Lao Red Cross’ emergency operations. 

KPL