ຂປລ
Singapore has reaffirmed its enduring ties with Laos, celebrating both its 61st National Day and the 25th anniversary of bilateral development cooperation with the Lao PDR.
Speaking at a commemorative reception in Vientiane on 27 August 2026, Singapore’s Ambassador to Laos, Ong Siew Gay, highlighted the milestone as a testament to the deep, longstanding friendship between the two nations.
The event was attended by high-level dignitaries, including National Assembly Vice President Vilayvong Bouddakham, Minister of Technology and Communications Santisouk Simmalavong, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of international organisations, and alumni of Singaporean training programmes.
Reflecting on Nationhood and Growth
Ambassador Ong reflected on Singapore’s journey since gaining independence on 9 August 1965 under volatile regional and domestic conditions. At the time, Southeast Asia was divided by the Cold War and conflicts in Indochina, while Singapore faced tense regional relations, social unrest, high unemployment, inflation, and the sudden economic shock of the British military withdrawal.
"Today, circumstances for Singapore have changed immeasurably," Ambassador Ong said, crediting the resilience of the nation's pioneer generation and subsequent leaders who transformed the country into a global hub for aviation, maritime trade, logistics, and finance.
However, he cautioned against complacency, noting that as an inherently vulnerable nation, Singapore must continually adapt and innovate to remain relevant and ensure its long-term future.
Regional Solidarity and Foreign Policy Foundations
Turning to regional affairs, Ambassador Ong highlighted the evolution of Southeast Asia from the ideological divisions of the 1960s into a unified community through ASEAN. He noted that in an era of growing geopolitical and economic volatility, ASEAN must continue to deepen integration, strengthen external partnerships, and uphold a rules-based regional order.
He underscored that Singapore’s foreign policy remains anchored in its domestic strength, “Social cohesion, political stability, steady economic development, and shared prosperity are the essential domestic pillars that reinforce our national resilience and external credibility."
A Quarter-Century of Singapore–Laos Cooperation
The partnership between Singapore and Laos began in earnest in 2001, four years after Laos joined ASEAN, marked by the rollout of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) and the opening of the Laos-Singapore Cooperation Centre in Vientiane that November.
Ambassador Ong highlighted human resource development as the cornerstone of bilateral cooperation. To date, nearly 18,000 public servants from Laos have participated in capacity-building and professional development courses under the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP).
Additionally, ongoing knowledge exchange has supported administrative capacity, digital transformation, and technical skills development across various sectors in Laos.
The reception concluded with a shared commitment from both countries to build on this 25-year foundation, deepening collaboration and mutual support in the years ahead.
KPL
