The symposium was held on Feb 4, 2026, at the National University of Laos (NUOL), with an opening remark by the President of NUOL, who mentioned that: The Government of Japan selected Laos as the first country to which it dispatched JOCV volunteers to engage in cooperation and support for Lao national development through JICA, starting in 1965. This cooperation has focused on four main areas.
• Basic human needs, including education and public health.
• Infrastructure, including bridges, roads, water supply, and electricity.
• Agriculture and food supply.
• Production and economic development.
The objectives of this academic conference are as follows.
• To review the outcomes of human resource development in Laos over the past period, with particular attention to cooperation with Japan.
• To exchange knowledge by presenting views and directions regarding Japan’s future participation in Lao development in order to achieve the highest effectiveness.
Following the speech by Ambassador Koizumi: The year 2025 marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Laos, and the relationship between the two countries was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The visit to the Lao PDR by Princess Aiko was a highlight of 2025 among more than 50 major commemorative events.
The theme of today, Human Resource Development, is highly timely when considering how Japan should cooperate with Laos while looking toward the future of the Lao nation.
In recent years, many countries have begun to show interest in Laos and to provide strong support. Japan takes pride in having worked with Laos sincerely and continuously in nation building. In the field of economic cooperation, many partners tend to focus on large scale infrastructure projects. Japan has consistently placed importance on human development.
Developing people forms the foundation of nation building. In the past, Japan had leaders who chose to sell valuable rice instead of consuming it immediately, and used the proceeds to establish schools. Education does not produce visible results in the short term, and state budget allocation often prioritizes immediate benefits. When considering true national development, capable human resources are indispensable. Seeds must be sown early for the future and nurtured with care. Whether these efforts continue or not will create major differences decades ahead, even one hundred years into the future.
Japan’s cooperation in human resource development is extensive. For more than 25 years, LJI has produced many qualified business professionals. In addition, Japan has provided experts, training programs, and community level cooperation in numbers too many to count. Among these, the most symbolic form of cooperation is the JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers.
Last year also marked the 60th anniversary of the first dispatch of JOCV volunteers to Laos. Laos was the first country to which the Government of Japan sent volunteers. The volunteers studied the Lao language before deployment. After arrival, they lived with local communities, built friendships, worked together, and shared knowledge and experience fully with the Lao people. At the same time, the volunteers learned much from the Lao people. This two way exchange represents the Japanese style of cooperation.
When discussing human resource development in Laos, it is impossible not to mention the Japanese Government scholarship students. All Lao representatives speaking on stage today previously studied in Japan. As the Japanese Ambassador, I feel great warmth and joy in seeing each of you apply the knowledge and experience gained in Japan and play important roles in your respective professional fields today.
Prof. NISHIZAWA Toshiro, University of Tokyo, Japan, presented on the topic “People Driving a New Future: My Co‑Creation Journey in Laos”
Prof. Phouphet Kyophilavong, Vice President of the National University of Laos, presented on the title “Empowering Economic Development Through Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Between Laos and Japan”.
Miyako Kobayashi, JICA Laos Office, briefly on 70 Years of Japan–Laos Diplomatic Relations
60 Years of JICA Volunteer Dispatch “Tying, Connecting, Spinning”: International Cooperation with Laos links to Japan
