On September 6, 2022, MI Executive Director (ED), Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn held a meeting with Mr. Thongphane Savanphet, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, who previously served as MI Council Chairman (2013 – 2015). Also, in attendance was Mr. Khamphinh Philakone, the newly appointed MI Steering Committee Member for Laos.

The Deputy-Minister took the opportunity to congratulate MI on receiving the ASEAN Prize Award 2021 and supported MI in its new role as an organization to provide technical support to the ACMECS Interim Secretariat.

Later, Mr. Suriyan updated the Deputy-Minister on MI’s works and activities. In response, the Deputy-Minister provided guidance to MI on how to advocate and support the Mekong Region and ASEAN further. Particularly for Lao PDR, MI could provide capacity building activities or trainings to Lao officials (e.g., training of trainer) on how to implement projects successfully.

The MI ED and the Deputy-Minister also discussed on how MI can provide support the transition period of Lao PDR’s least-developed country (LDC) graduation.