Canada-Laos relations
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Bilateral relations
Canada and the Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic (PDR), or Laos, celebrated 50 years of bilateral relations in 2024. Diplomatic relations between Canada and Laos were established in 1974. In August 2015, Canada posted its first resident diplomat to Vientiane, and in July 2016 the Office of the Embassy of Canada was officially opened. Canada’s ambassador to Laos resides in Bangkok, Thailand. Laos is represented in Canada by its embassy in Washington, D.C., and through its honourary consulate in Vancouver.
The Office of the Embassy of Canada in Vientiane offers trade and consular services to Canadian clients, and is mandated to deepen political, development, and cultural cooperation with Lao institutions. Canada’s priorities in Laos include:
- Supporting the implementation of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy in Laos;
- Championing gender equality and empowering women and girls;
- Encouraging inclusive governance and respect for human rights;
- Enhancing private-sector development and infrastructure;
- Improving border management and addressing transnational crime;
- Developing skills among vulnerable groups, including young women, disabled persons, and ethnic minorities
Canada also supports the Lao government in reducing the harmful effects of unexploded ordnance (UXO) remaining from the Second Indochina War, in support of Laos’ national Sustainable Development Goal 18, “Lives Safe from UXO”. In 2023, Canada committed $750,000 to support de-mining efforts.
Canada cooperates with Laos as a strategic partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Laos took over for a three-year period as Canada’s ASEAN Country Coordinator in mid-2024 (2024 to 2027).
The links between our two peoples contribute to the Canada-Laos relationship. Today, roughly 40,000 people living in Canada identify themselves as being of Lao origin. Canadian tourism to Laos fell from 18,000 in 2019 to 1,400 in 2022 due to ongoing impacts of the COVID‑19 pandemic but is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels in the near future.
Trade relations
In 2023, bilateral trade between the two countries was valued at $52.6 million. Several Canadian firms are active in Laos, working in the extractive, manufacturing and service sectors. These include Celestica, ASEAN Contact Center, 5NPlus, PRI-MED, and Deluxe Food Group. Other opportunities exist in areas where Canadian firms are strong, such as clean technologies, information and communication technology, infrastructure, agriculture, education, and environmental consulting. Canadian companies play a positive role as good corporate citizens and responsible investors in Laos. Canada also launched negotiations for a Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement in 2021.
The Office of the Embassy of Canada in Laos includes members of the Trade Commissioner Service, whose task is to expand commercial linkages between Canada and Laos.
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Development
Since 2017, Canada has contributed $71 million to development and poverty reduction in Laos, including $8.5 million in fiscal year 2022-2023. While Canada does not have a bilateral development program in Laos, the country is eligible for Canadian assistance through Global Affairs Canada’s ASEAN Regional Development Program, security capacity-building programs, the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, and through multilateral institutions and Canadian and international civil society organizations.
In 2024-2025, the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives is supporting six projects in health, human dignity, growth for everyone, rule of law and inclusive governance, human rights and inclusivity, and gender equity and rights of women and girls.
Canada is also working with the Asian Development Bank to promote the renewable energy sector in Laos by supporting the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Monsoon Wind Power Project, the first cross border wind power project in Southeast Asia. In 2024 Canada became a development partner of the Mekong River Commission (MRC). The MRC is an intergovernmental organisation for regional dialogue and cooperation in the Lower Mekong River Basin. The MRC serves as a regional platform for water diplomacy and promotes sustainable development in the region.
The Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) program provides post-secondary students from ASEAN member states, especially women and citizens of Least Developed Countries, the opportunity to study or research in Canada for up to two semesters. In 2024-2025, SEED will be supporting the first Lao students to study in Canada under the program. The Canadian Program for Francophonie Scholarships, which runs until 2025, has allowed nearly 30 Lao students to obtain advanced graduate degrees at French-speaking universities in Canada since 1991.
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Partnerships and organizations
To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Laos work closely in multilateral fora, such as:
- Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
- La Francophonie
- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
- Pacific Alliance
- United Nations (UN)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
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