Vientiane: The annual meeting of the Steering Committee for the Project to Strengthen Skills Development in the Lao PDR, under the ILO-China International Cooperation Programme, convened in Vientiane on 31 March 2026. The gathering brought together key stakeholders to evaluate the project's progress and successes over the past year.
According to Lao News Agency, the meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Xaybandith Rasphone, Vice President of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI); Mr. Vilay Vongkhaseum, Vice President of the Central Committee of the Lao Federation of Trade Unions (LFTU); and Mr. Tian Feng, Project Manager and Coordinator of the ILO-China Cooperation Programme for Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar. Attendees included the ILO Coordinator for Laos, representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Laos, and other relevant sectors, participating both in person and online.
The meeting served as a forum to assess the achievements and identify challenges associated with the project, aiming to outline future directions and operational strategies. A notable moment during the event was the formal handover of the Plan on Skills Development in the Lao PDR and the Law on Skills Development. This legislation has been officially approved, providing a legal framework for the continuation of skills development activities in the country.
Mr. Xaybandith Rasphone highlighted the project's role in fostering regional and international collaboration within the tripartite system engaging the government, employers, and workers across Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar. He stressed the importance of the initiative in developing human resources and improving labor quality to meet market needs.
In 2025, the project recorded successes in several critical areas. These included the formulation of national labor skill standards, enhancement of vocational training curricula, skill upgrades for trainers, and strengthening institutional capacities. Additionally, the creation and refinement of relevant legislation through tripartite mechanisms and the effective execution of South-South and Triangular Cooperation were also accomplished.