Vientiane: The National Steering Committee for Laos' participation in the 2026 World Horticulture Expo convened its first meeting on July 29, marking the commencement of preparations for the country's involvement in two international horticultural exhibitions.
According to Lao News Agency, the meeting was led by Minister of Agriculture and Environment Linkham Douangsavanh and included deputy ministers from relevant ministries along with representatives from participating agencies. Laos is set to participate in the World Horticulture Expo in Udon Thani, Thailand, in November 2026, and subsequently in Yokohama, Japan, in March 2027.
Participants at the meeting discussed the responsibilities of each subcommittee, drawing on the country's past experiences with horticultural exhibitions. They also explored concepts, themes, and exhibition formats for the upcoming events in Thailand and Japan. The gathering served as a platform to exchange insights from previous international expos.
Minister Linkham praised the efforts of the Secretariat and subcommittees in their preparatory work and urged the development of detailed implementation plans that clearly outline the responsibilities of each committee. He highlighted the importance of regular progress monitoring and reporting to senior leadership to ensure all preparations are completed on time and align with the goal of effectively showcasing Laos at the international exhibitions.