opinion

Risky Orange E-Motorbike Stunts in Vientiane Spark Safety, Behavioral Concerns

Dangerous riding involving orange electric motorbikes has sparked public concern in Vientiane Capital after young riders were seen performing wheelies and stunts on busy public roads.  Compounding the issue, many bikes are being abandoned improperly across the city. Photos and videos of the reckless behavior quickly circulated on social media, prompting...

On the Frontlines of Crisis: Why Health Workers Need Urgent Protection and Funding

On World Humanitarian Day, 19 August,  Pio Smith, UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and...

The Real Fertility Crisis? Young People are Denied Choice

On World Population Day, UNFPA Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Mr. Pio Smith calls...

Will InDrive Return? App Blocked Across Laos Amid Legal and Technical Turmoil

On 28 May, the popular taxi application InDrive became suddenly inaccessible to customers and...

Laos Marks IDAHOBIT with Growing Focus on Inclusion and Youth Voices

Laos marked the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on 27 May,...

International Day for Mine Awareness: United States Renews Commitment to Laos, Removes UXO as a Barrier to Development

Op-Ed by Heather Variava, Ambassador of the United States of America to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in...

Choice, Availability: Leaders Champion Universal Access to Family Planning in Laos

Joint Op-Ed by H.E Dr. Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, Minister of Health, Dr. Bakhtiyor Kadyrov, UNFPA Representative in Laos, and Ms. Sumita Banerjee, FP2030 Managing Director...

World AIDS Day: Amplifying Community-Led HIV Response

Op-Ed by Patricia Ongpin, UNAIDS Country Director for Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Malaysia, Dr Panina Phoumsavanh, Director of Center for HIV, AIDS and STI...

Harnessing the Power of Data to Combat Gender-Based Violence

*Op-ed by the UNFPA Regional Director for Asia & the Pacific, Mr. Pio Smith on International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women ______________________________________________________________________ From informing...

Australia and Southeast Asia: Invested in Our Shared Economic Future

The countries of Southeast Asia are poised to be major drivers of global growth in the decades ahead, writes Nicholas Moore AO, Australia’s Special...

Spending Kip to Make Dong: Why Laos Should Step Up Efforts to Attract More Vietnamese Tourists

As lackluster economic growth causes millions in China to stay home, Laos should do more to attract Vietnamese travelers for its post-pandemic tourism revival. The...