(KPL) On August 26, 2026, in Vientiane, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Office of the National Regulatory Authority for the UXO/Mine Action Sector in the Lao PDR, and the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) Laos signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a new phase of UXO survey and clearance activities in Xieng Khouang Province, one of the areas most heavily affected by unexploded ordnance (UXO).

Under the new phase, the US Government will provide US$15 million through MAG to support UXO-related activities in the province. The project will run through November 2027.

The project will focus on conducting technical surveys to identify contaminated areas, clearing remaining UXO left from past conflicts, and providing UXO risk education and awareness to communities across the province.

The project targets surveying more than 19 million square metres of land and clearing over 20 million square metres of prioritized and confirmed contaminated land. It will also provide timely responses to community reports of UXO discoveries and targeted risk education for people living in affected areas.

Despite decades of clearance efforts, UXO continues to pose risks to communities in Xieng Khouang, restricting access to land, threatening public safety, and limiting agricultural and infrastructure development.

With continued US support, MAG will work closely with central and local authorities to help communities safely access and use contaminated land for agriculture, infrastructure development, and other socio-economic activities, contributing to improved livelihoods and local development

KPL