MI HELPS LAO GOVERNMENT FORM NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION POLICY

Innovation and Technological Connectivity

Mekong Institute (MI) rolled out a national e-training program on “Capacity Building on National Agricultural Innovation Policy Development” to help government representatives contribute to the formulation of a national agricultural innovation policy in Lao PDR.  

“Science, technology and innovation (STI) is a key driver for sustainable growth in the Lancang-Mekong region, especially for the agriculture sector of Lao PDR,” Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, MI Executive Director, said in his opening statement. He further explained that STI is necessary to stimulate agricultural production and the efficient use of natural resources.

Supported by the People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China, 12 Lao government officials will be introduced to STI strategies for agricultural innovation from November 30 to December 4, 2020. Specifically, the four-day online course will present global best practices and approaches that will help the government create an enabling policy environment for the agricultural sector to increase its effectiveness, competitiveness, resilience, and environmental sustainability.

The e-training is part of the “Capacity Building on Technology and Innovation Policy Development in the Lancang-Mekong Region” project. Following the completion of the online training course, participants will implement their action plans in Lao PDR before reconvening in April 2021 at MI’s Synthesis and Evaluation workshop to assess the progress of their respective action plan implementation, as well as to share good practices and lessons learned.

This is the fourth e-training from the project, with representatives from Myanmar and Vietnam and Cambodia completing their sessions on November 9 to 13 and November 23 to 27, 2020, respectively.

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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.