ENABLING FOOD SAFETY STAKEHOLDERS NETWORKING IN LAO PDR

Agricultural Development and Commercialization

Mekong Institute in collaboration with the Food and Drug Department, Ministry of Health of Lao PDR recently organized a “Food Safety Learning Event and Networking” in Vientiane, Lao PDR on December 4, 2018. Part of MI’s NZAP-supported PROSAFE Project, the one-day event brought together some 40 PROSAFE alumni from various public and private organizations such as the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the National University of Laos.  

The event offered the food safety stakeholders an opportunity to discuss strategies and mechanisms to strengthen national food safety control system initiatives in Lao PDR, and enhance understanding of the national priorities and initiatives in food safety. Among the topics presented were the burden of foodborne illnesses in Southeast Asia and Lao PDR, National Food Control System and National Initiatives on Food Safety.

This gathering of MI training alumni also served to strengthen the network of food safety champions in Lao PDR. According to Ms. Maria Theresa Medialdia, Director of MI’s Agricultural Development and Commercialization (ADC) Department, a strong network presents several opportunities for improving the food safety situation in Lao PDR, among them increasing the public trust in food safety control in the country and enabling demonstrable changes in Lao PDR under the PROSAFE Project.

Related News

Scroll to Top

Mrs. Guohua Liu

Director, Sustainable Energy & Environment (SEE) Department

Mrs. Liu Guohua is the Director of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Department at the Mekong Institute. Prior to this role, she worked in the Department of International Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, where she played a key role in shaping and implementing China’s cooperation strategies with UN development agencies. During this time, Mrs. Liu was actively involved in advancing initiatives related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on climate change and green development. Additionally, she contributed to the evaluation of projects funded by various Chinese initiatives, such as the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund, etc.

In addition to her work in the Department of International Economic Affairs, Mrs. Liu has an extensive diplomatic background. She spent 7 years in the Department of African Affairs, followed by a 4-year tenure at the Chinese Embassy in Lao PDR, where she gained deep expertise in both Southeast Asian and African affairs. These diverse experiences have played a crucial role in shaping her approach to sustainable development and international collaboration, particularly in building regional partnerships and tackling global challenges like climate change.

She holds a Master’s degree in Economics, with a specialization in Finance, from the Central University of Finance and Economics, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, specializing in International Economics and Trade, from the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics.