NewsINBAR delegation visits Lao PDR Ministry of Foreign Affairs
High-level talks in Vientiane lay the groundwork for the country’s accession to INBAR.
On 26 May 2026, a delegation from the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR), led by Ms. Li Lan, Deputy Director General of INBAR, paid a visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR in Vientiane. During the meeting, she held talks with Ms. Mookdavan Sisoulith, Director General of the Department of International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two sides engaged in in-depth discussions on deepening practical cooperation on bamboo and rattan and advancing Lao PDR’s accession to INBAR, reaching consensus on several important points.
Ms. Li Lan provided an overview of INBAR’s development and the longstanding friendly cooperation between INBAR and Lao PDR. She noted that Lao PDR is endowed with abundant bamboo and rattan resources, which hold great development potential. Over the past decade, through demonstration projects, technical training and policy support, INBAR has assisted Lao PDR in developing its bamboo and rattan industries, restoring forest ecology and promoting poverty reduction and income generation. This cooperation has become an important platform for China-Lao PDR South-South collaboration. She further highlighted that 2026 marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Laos, and next year will be the 30th anniversary of INBAR’s establishment. Advancing Lao PDR’s accession would fit this pivotal moment, carrying significance for both China and Lao PDR as well as for INBAR. INBAR stands ready to provide technical assistance and share experiences with Lao PDR, helping the country harness bamboo and rattan to improve livelihoods, explore pathways for international cooperation and promote its green and low-carbon transformation.
Ms. Mookdavan Sisoulith extended a warm welcome to Ms. Li Lan and the delegation. She praised INBAR’s role in promoting exchanges, cooperation and resource-sharing among Member States, advancing the sustainable development of the global bamboo and rattan industries, and facilitating South-South cooperation. She noted that the government of Lao PDR attaches great importance to the sustainable development and utilization of bamboo and rattan resources, and hopes to use the INBAR platform to deepen exchanges with regional Member States, learn from advanced technologies and development experience, and leverage bamboo and rattan to drive Lao PDR’s economic growth. At the same time, bamboo and rattan industries can empower youth and women and help achieve coordinated and sustainable development across economic, social and ecological dimensions. She specifically mentioned that the bamboo and rattan industry would provide solid support for the country’s steady progress towards becoming a developing country. Lao PDR is willing to actively study the possibility of joining INBAR, accelerate relevant procedures and strive to become a full member of the global bamboo and rattan community at the earliest opportunity.
Both sides agreed to maintain close communication, steadily advance preparations for the country’s accession to INBAR, jointly deepen friendly cooperation among Lao PDR, China and INBAR, and work together to promote global sustainable development.
