The workshop was co-chaired by Deputy Minister Detsongkham Thammavong and Eda Kraja. It followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two sides on October 20, 2025, establishing a framework for closer collaboration in infrastructure planning and project implementation.

Opening the dialogue, Ms. Kraja compared the partnership to a blueprint for building the country’s future infrastructure.

“I see this partnership as an architect’s blueprint. It shows us the vision, the design of what we can build together,” she said. “Today, all of us in this room — the leaders, the experts, the planners — are the engineers and the builders. My hope is that we can identify one or two strong, clear and concrete opportunities where we can begin our work together.”

Deputy Minister Detsongkham Thammavong also highlighted the strategic value of the partnership in strengthening the ministry’s technical capacity.

“This workshop is a good opportunity for us to understand more about the roles and expertise of UNOPS that might push and strengthen the technical capacity of the ministry,” he said. “I encourage all participants to exchange ideas actively to ensure future cooperation is effective and can be translated into joint project implementation.”

Discussions during the workshop focused on four key areas of cooperation. These include improving priority infrastructure projects through technical and implementation support, such as feasibility studies, environmental and social assessments, engineering design and construction management.

Another priority is strengthening the ministry’s capacity to plan, design and finance sustainable transport corridors through technical advisory services. The partnership also aims to support the preparation of public-private partnership (PPP) projects and mobilise investment by developing integrated feasibility frameworks to attract private sector partners.

In addition, UNOPS will provide procurement and supply-chain support to ensure transparent and efficient project implementation.

The full-day workshop featured presentations and discussions led by UNOPS experts, including infrastructure advisor Ali Salha and senior partnerships development manager Akira Moretto.

Directors general and deputy directors general from eight departments under the ministry also participated, sharing their portfolios and challenges. These departments included housing and urban planning, water supply, roads, transport, waterways, railways and civil aviation.

The dialogue marks an important step toward translating the 2025 memorandum of understanding into concrete projects that support Laos’ long-term infrastructure development and economic growth.

Follow-up meetings with individual departments are scheduled for March 11 to explore specific portfolios in greater detail and develop actionable cooperation plans for 2026.

KPL