Vientiane: A group of 11 Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs) recently arrived in Laos, where they were honoured at a welcome ceremony hosted at the Embassy of Japan in Vientiane. The event was presided over by Mr Koizumi Tsutomu, Ambassador of Japan to the Lao PDR, in the presence of Ms Phengkhiem Xayakeo, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Finance, and Ms Kobayashi Miyako, JICA Chief Representative. Representatives from various line ministries, organisations, and the JICA Laos Office were also in attendance.

According to Lao News Agency, Ambassador Koizumi remarked during the ceremony, "By welcoming these new volunteers today, the number of JOCVs currently serving in Laos has reached 51." He emphasized the significance of the volunteers' continued activity in Laos, noting that it was the first country to which Japan dispatched volunteers back in 1965. The ambassador also highlighted the recognition from the Government of Laos regarding the dedication of the JOCVs and expressed hopes for the new volunteers' health, enjoyment, and success in their assignments.

During the reception, the newly arrived volunteers had the opportunity to become better acquainted with their supervisors and colleagues from their respective workplaces. Four of the volunteers will be based in the capital, Vientiane, while the others will be dispatched to Luang Prabang, Xayaboury, Xieng Khuang, Borikhamxay, Khammuane, Savannakhet, and Champassak provinces in the coming weeks.