(KPL) The Australia Embassy in Vientiane held a reception on 23 January to celebrate Australia Day, alongside a strong pledge to further strengthen Australia’s enduring relationship with the Lao PDR.

The event was attended by senior government officials, diplomats, business leaders and representatives from international organisations.

Among them were Minister of Natural Resource and Environment Bounkham Vorachit, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Maythong Thammavongsa.

Speaking at the event, Australian Ambassador to the Lao PDR, Megan Jones, highlighted the significance of Australia Day (Jan 26) before underscoring the continuous and unbroken partnership between Laos and Australia over the past 73 years.

“Australia Day is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our connections to our land and water, and our place in our region and the world,” Ambassador Megan Jones said.

“Australia’s rich heritage lies at the heart of who we are and guides us in how we engage respectfully and constructively with diverse cultures and communities.”

Australia is one of the most multicultural countries in the world, and home to the world's oldest continuing culture – Australia's Indigenous peoples have lived on and managed the land for more than 60,000 years.

Australia is a longstanding and trusted partner of choice for Laos, with Australia working with Laos in many areas, including education, health, cyber security, transnational crime, defence, connectivity infrastructure, energy and immigration and customs.

2025 marks the 35th anniversary of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research’s partnership with Laos.  We will build on this long history by launching a new programme on climate resilient agriculture.

Australia is committed to strengthening collaboration with Laos under the milestone Laos-Australia Comprehensive Partnership signed by Prime Ministers of the two countries in March last year.

“We are committed to working with Laos, and all ASEAN nations, to maintain peace, stability and prosperity in our region, with ASEAN at its centre,” the Ambassador said.

“The 75 new ‘Australia for ASEAN’ Scholarship our Prime Minister announced last year allowed us to offer 48 scholarships to Lao students in 2025, the highest number of Australia Awards Scholarships ever offered,” the Ambassador said.

In this, the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Australian Chamber of Commerce Lao, Australia will continue to deepen economic and trade links with Laos under Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.

KPL