Vientiane: The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Oct 20 to enhance cooperation in developing sustainable, resilient, and inclusive national infrastructure.
According to Lao News Agency, the partnership directly supports the implementation of Lao PDR’s 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan and the country’s goal of graduating from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. It establishes a framework for UNOPS – whose core expertise lies in sustainable infrastructure, procurement, and project management – to provide specialized technical assistance and capacity-building support to MPWT. This collaboration aligns with the Ministry’s mission to strengthen infrastructure that underpins economic growth and improves the well-being of all citizens.
Under the MoU, cooperation will focus on key areas including the improvement of priority infrastructure projects through technical and implementation support for feasibility studies, design, quality control, and contract management. The partnership will also enhance the Ministry’s capacity to plan, manage, and finance public infrastructure, prepare Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects to attract investment, and strengthen public procurement systems to ensure transparency, accountability, and value for money. Vice Minister of Public Works and Transport Litta Khattiya reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the partnership, emphasizing the Ministry’s dedication to delivering on its Five-Year Development Plan.
Ms. Eda Kraja, UNOPS Country Manager for Lao PDR, highlighted the organization’s commitment to supporting the government’s infrastructure vision. She expressed that the MoU lays the foundation for deeper collaboration that will help turn strategic plans into tangible projects, thus improving lives and creating opportunities.
The partnership marks an important step in Lao PDR’s development journey, fostering infrastructure that is efficient, inclusive, and resilient, ensuring that national development efforts are equipped to meet today’s needs while preparing for future challenges.