The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Nations Development Organization (UNDP) in Lao PDR have donated ICT equipment and vehicles worth a total of 702,696 United States Dollars to the Provincial People's Councils (PPC) across the country. This initiative aims to strengthen the National Assembly and People's Councils at the provincial or STEPs level.

The handover ceremony took place last Friday at the National Assembly in Vientiane. Mr. Mike Cipher, Deputy Director of USAID for the Asia region, and Mr. Bounthan Bounvilay, Deputy Secretary of the National Assembly, represented their respective organizations.

Mr. Cipher highlighted that the donations mark an important milestone in the cooperation between the USA and Lao PDR, providing essential aid to support effective and efficient governance and state administration. USAID remains committed to equipping members of the National Assembly and Provincial People's Councils with the necessary tools to perform their duties effectively.

The UNDP expressed its pleasure in supporting the modernization of the National Assembly and Provincial People's Councils through the SPAIN project. The delivery of modern equipment and vehicles, supported by USAID, aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the National Assembly and Provincial People's Councils in representing and responding to the aspirations of the Lao people.