VIENTIANE: The governments of Laos and New Zealand have agreed to strengthen cooperation in education, trade, environmental protection, tourism, UXO clearance and other key areas, reaffirming the growing partnership between the two nations.
These commitments were made during an official visit to New Zealand by a high-level Lao delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thongsavanh Phomvihane, the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.
The visit, made at the invitation of New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters, took place from May 14-15 and aimed to further enhance the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
During official talks held at the Parliament of New Zealand on May 14, the two sides said they highly valued the friendly relations and cooperation between their nations, which have strengthened over more than six decades since diplomatic relations were established in 1963.
The two delegations noted that bilateral ties have steadily expanded through regular reciprocal high-level visits and successful cooperation programmes in various sectors.
Discussions centred on enhancing cooperation in human resource development, UXO clearance, renewable energy, environmental protection, economic cooperation and tourism.
It was also agreed the two countries would continue working closely together to ensure their partnership delivers more practical outcomes in the years a head.
Two-way trade between the two countries totalled US$7.59 million in the December 2025 quarter, with Laos exporting goods and services worth US$3.21 million and importing US$4.38 million from New Zealand.
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The Lao ministry said the meeting was also an opportunity for the two delegations to exchange views on their respective development priorities, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.
On behalf of the Lao government and people, Thongsavanh expressed appreciation to the government and people of New Zealand for their continued support to Laos over the years, including assistance provided during Laos’ Asean Chairmanship in 2024.
He invited the New Zealand Foreign Minister to pay an official visit to Laos and attend the 3rd Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which Laos will host in September.
For his part, Peters described the visit as an important contribution to advancing the friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries and reaffirmed New Zealand’s commitment to continue supporting Laos in priority sectors contributing to socio-economic development.
Thongsavanh also met with the New Zealand Minister responsible for Trade, Environment and Women, Nicola Grigg, to discuss ways to broaden cooperation in trade, environmental protection, tourism, and other fields.
In addition to official meetings, the Lao delegation visited New Zealand’s Parliament, cultural and film exhibition facilities, and the National Museum of New Zealand.
Thongsavanh also met members of the Lao community living in New Zealand and Lao students studying and training at Victoria University in Wellington under the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship programme. – Vientiane Times/ANN
