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From 14–19 December, Australian Ambassador Megan Jones visited the southern provinces to reaffirm Australia’s commitment to education, the 5th Population and Housing Census, and broader development and economic cooperation with the Lao PDR.
The Australian Ambassador visited Savannakhet and Champassak provinces, accompanied by Minister of Finance Santiphab Phomvihane, before making her first official visit to Saravan and Xekong provinces.
In Savannakhet, Ambassador Megan Jones visited the Kaysone Phomvihane Memorial Museum and paid a courtesy call on the Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Bounchom Ubonpaseuth, to highlight Australia’s economic engagement and support for the province.
Ambassador Megan Jones and the Minister Santiphab also visited Na Deua Primary School in Outhoumphone District to showcase Australia’s support for improving education quality and access through the Basic Education Quality and Access in Lao PDR (BEQUAL) program. Through BEQUAL, teachers receive ongoing professional development to strengthen inclusive teaching. Evidence from the Inclusive Study shows that students taught by teachers who completed in-service training – including Spoken Lao and inclusive strategies – achieved better literacy outcomes.
In Champassak, a highlight of the programme was a visit to Costa Blueberry Farm, reinforcing Australia’s commitment to agricultural modernisation and socio-economic development. Costa Group, Australia’s largest horticultural company, plans to invest AUD100 million in this berry farming initiative over the next five years, creating approximately 2,000 jobs for local residents.
The visit showcased how Costa, as a leading Australian business, contributes to rural development and export competitiveness in the Lao PDR.
Ambassador Megan Jones and the Minister Santiphab met leaders of Champassak Province before visiting three villages to observe and monitor the implementation of the 5th Population and Housing Census. Australia has provided AUD5.45 million to support the successful implementation of the census.
In her remarks, the Australian Ambassador emphasised the importance of the census, stating “The census is one of the most important exercises any country undertakes. It provides the foundation for informed policy decisions, effective resource allocation, and evidence-based planning. Australia is proud to support this work under the Laos–Australia Comprehensive Partnership, which places strong emphasis on inclusive development, good governance, and strengthening national systems.”
The Ambassador is meeting with the provincial leadership of both Xekong and Saravan, hearing from them on the challenges and opportunities in their provinces.
In Xekong province, the Ambassador is marking the 35th anniversary of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) in Laos by visiting an ACIAR-supported cassava disease-resistant research station in Thateng District, engaging with researchers, farmers, and industry representatives. The Ambassador is also handing over essential medical equipment to Xekong Provincial Hospital provided under Australia’s Small Grants Programme.
In Saravan province, the Ambassador is visiting a Community-Based School Readiness Programme to observe the impact of Australia’s partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports and UNICEF.
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