(KPL) Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) delegation headed by Mr. Dursun Ali Yaşacan, Head of East and South Asia, Pacific and Latin America Department of TİKA pays a working visit to Laos between 26 – 30 August 2025. During their visit, Ms. Lavan Southisan, Vice President of Lao Women’s Union of the Lao PDR, Ms Oya Yazar, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to the Lao PDR and Mr. Dursun Ali Yaşacan, Head of East and South Asia, Pacific and Latin America Department of TİKA attended the handover ceremony of the Project entitled “Renovation of the Showroom, Design Room, Production Room and Support of Equipment to the Lao Women’s Union”.

Ambassador Oya Yazar emphasized that Türkiye so far has implemented various projects together with relevant Lao authorities, in areas such as education, health, agriculture, disaster management, UXO and victim assistance, human resource development and vocational training and projects focusing on women empowerment economically play a particular significance among those projects.

“Women, especially from rural areas and poorer backgrounds are the most disadvantaged in society and need to be supported and encouraged to be economically independent and self-standing.” Ambassador Oya Yazar mentioned.

“Together with Lao Women’s Union and Lao authorities, we are happy to be able to support some of Lao women to have a decent job and income to sustain their lives.” Ambassador Oya Yazar said.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Lavan Southisan, Vice President of Lao Women’s Union of the Lao PDR noted that projects implemented by TİKA encourage Lao women throughout the country to have the opportunity to receive advanced vocational training, as well as creating jobs for them, having a stable income, and being able to be economically self-reliant in order to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country in general, and in particular, the successful implementation of projects in line with the National Women's Development Plan of the Lao Women's Union, moving towards to poverty reduction in accordance with the policies set by the Party and Government, as well as preventing and combating labor migration that is at risk of human trafficking and other social ills.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Turkish people, through TIKA and the Turkish Embassy in the Lao PDR, for their financial support in renovating and building a beautiful and modern Production room, Show room of the Lao Cotton and Silk Division. “ Ms. Lavan Southisan, Vice President of Lao Women’s Union said.

In his speech, Mr. Dursun Ali Yaşacan, Head of East and South Asia, Pacific and Latin America Department of TİKA stated that TİKA has proudly supported the Lao Women’s Union and through this renovated facility, women will now benefit from a modernized and functional space where they can design, produce, display, and sell their products — enhancing their visibility, market access, and professional pride.

“This project builds upon our fruitful collaboration, in 2023, when TİKA provided equipment upgrades to the Cotton & Silk Division of Lao Women’s Training Centre of the Lao Women’s Union — and organized monthly vocational training programs in sewing and embroidery. We were especially proud to support women graduates from those courses by providing them with the basic tools to start their own businesses.” He said.

“As TİKA, we believe that development cooperation is most meaningful when it is inclusive and sustainable. That is why our projects in Laos focus not only on infrastructure or technology — but on people, especially those who need most.” Mr. Dursun Ali Yaşacan underlined.

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) delegation headed by Mr. Dursun Ali Yaşacan, Head of East and South Asia, Pacific and Latin America Department of TİKA pays a working visit to Laos between 26 – 30 August 2025. During their visit, TİKA delegation met with Ms. Aphone Visathep, Deputy Minister of Health of the Lao PDR on 28 August 2025.

Both sides exchanged views on further cooperation in the field of health and praised the cooperation projects implemented by TİKA so far.

After the meeting, Ms. Aphone Visathep, Deputy Minister of Health of the Lao PDR, Ms Oya Yazar, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to the Lao PDR and Mr. Dursun Ali Yaşacan, Head of East and South Asia, Pacific and Latin America Department of TİKA  attended the handover ceremony of the Project entitled “Renovation and Support of Equipment for CMR Prosthetic and Orthotic Workshop – COPE Center”.

Ambassador Oya Yazar emphasized the commitment of Türkiye to well-being and progress of the Lao PDR and its people in the sector of health. 

“Health is one of main sectors which Türkiye implements projects together with relevant Lao authorities, in addition to other areas such as education, agriculture, disaster management, infrastructure, UXO and victim assistance, women empowerment, human resource development and vocational training,” Ambassador Oya Yazar mentioned.

“This not only demonstrates our Government’ policy towards the Lao PDR, but also reflects the friendly bonds between our two peoples,” Ambassador Oya Yazar said. “On the basis of per capita humanitarian spending, Türkiye is proud to be the largest humanitarian donor in the world and the most generous country,” he added.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Aphone Visathep, Deputy Minister of Health of the Lao PDR noted that this Project implemented by TİKA consists of 3 phases with total contribution around 280.000 USD. “First, TİKA distributed 5 advanced ovens and modern medical equipments to each branch of Center for Medical Rehabilitation in 5 provinces, secondly, TİKA renovated CMR-COPE building in Vientiane, thirdly, TİKA supported modern advanced machinery, equipment and raw material for the production of prosthetics and orthotic devices as well as organized a training programme for the use and installation of devices,” Deputy Minister Aphone said.

Ms. Aphone Visathep, Deputy Minister of Health of the Lao PDR praised the cooperation between Türkiye and Laos in the sector of health. She also expressed the gratitude of the Lao government for the assistance extended by TİKA and hope for continuation of the collaboration between Türkiye and Laos.

In his speech, Mr. Dursun Ali Yaşacan from TİKA stated that thanks to the support of TİKA, all necessary medical devices, equipment, and supplies—manufactured in Türkiye—have been delivered to the five COPE centers according to their specific needs. He noted that TİKA has also completed renovation and furnishing works for the COPE service buildings, particularly in Vientiane, creating a better environment for both patients and staff.

“This contribution ensures that COPE can operate at international standards, significantly improving the quality and timeliness of care for around 1,500 patients treated annually,” Mr. Dursun Ali Yaşacan underlined. Lastly, “I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the Lao Ministry of Health, COPE’s dedicated teams, and all partners involved for their hard work and collaboration,” he added.

After the support of TİKA, the number of patients treated and assistive devices produced by Centre for Medical Rehabilitation – COPE Centre rose by 50% compared to 2022

KPL