United States and Laos Strengthen Partnership with LMI Road Management Workshop

The United States is cooperating with Singapore and Laos to host a Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) Road Management Workshop in Vientiane, from May 6 to 10.  On May 6, Lao Vice Minister of Public Works and Transport Dr. Bunchanh Sinthavong, US Ambassador Karen B. Stewart and Singaporean Ambassador Kang Siew Kheng formally opened the workshop.  The event is taking place under the strategic framework of the LMI, a mechanism to promote cooperation and narrow the development gap in the region.  Officials from the transportation ministries of LMI countries Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam will join the event.  Road management experts from Singapore’s Land Transportation Authority and the US Army Corps of Engineers will provide valuable advice and best practices to attendees.  The event is a Third Country Training Program funded by the United States and Singapore.

During the event, officials from LMI partner nations will share, enhance, and expand their technical capacity and understanding of pavement techniques that will promote road safety, environmental sustainability, and pavement durability. The outcomes of the activity will benefit the populations of LMI countries populace by saving lives, protecting the environment, and ensuring pavement can adapt and last in climate change. The event will also improve technical information exchanges through increased intergovernmental cooperation among the Lower Mekong countries.

Source URL: http://laos.usembassy.gov/pres_may142013pres.html