The ADF has made its third visit to Laos in as many years, with a range of bilateral activities conducted as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE).
The visit, which came during Laos’ chairing of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, included workshops and training in priority areas such as women, peace and security and international humanitarian law.
Commander Australian Defence College Rear Admiral James Lybrand said IPE activities were part of the Australian Government’s focus on deepening diplomatic and defence partnerships across south-east Asia and the north-east Indian Ocean.
“IPE is a key platform for Australia to continue working with Laos on a range of bilateral priorities and in doing so builds upon the friendship that we have, and works towards a more peaceful and prosperous region,” Rear Admiral Lybrand said.
Rear Admiral Lybrand and Australian Defence Attaché to Laos Wing Commander Lauren McHardy conducted key leadership engagement with Laos Defence and government officials, as well as Australian-supported research and humanitarian projects.
They visited a malarial research facility, the COPE (Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise) centre and museum, and Laos’ Kaysone Phomvihane ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Defence Academy.
Rear Admiral Lybrand noted Australia’s long-standing bilateral relationship with Laos and the recent strengthening of defence and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
“Our two countries share almost a quarter of a century of defence cooperation and Australia and Laos have deepened their defence engagement in recent years,” he said.
He pointed to the inaugural Defence senior officials talks held last year and the signing of the Australia-Laos Comprehensive Partnership in March this year.
Defence and law enforcement was one of the four pillars in the Comprehensive Partnership signed by both country’s prime ministers in Melbourne.
Laos is one of 14 countries that the ADF will engage with during IPE 2024 between August and December. Other countries include Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.
