VIENTIANE, 18 October 2022 – The 1^st Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) Coaching Clinic, jointly organised by the Lao PDR Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), JAIF Management Team (JMT), and the ASEAN Secretariat, took place on 18 August in Vientiane, Lao PDR.  

The JAIF Coaching Clinic affirmed ASEAN and Japan’s commitment to bringing JAIF closer to its stakeholders by holding an in-country workshop-cum-consultation. The participants from various ministries had the opportunity to learn about JAIF’s cooperation and gained hands-on knowledge on developing project proposals to effectively implement JAIF projects.

The one-day workshop was officially launched by Sitsangkhom Sisaketh, Deputy Director-General of ASEAN Department, of the Lao PDR MFA. He expressed appreciation for Japan’s strong support for ASEAN’s efforts in narrowing development gaps among ASEAN Member States (AMS) through capacity building especially to the Lao PDR. He further highlighted the important role JAIF and JMT play in delivering necessary assistance of the people and government of Japan to ASEAN as well as fostering cooperation between ASEAN and Japan.

For his part, Naoki Minamiguchi, Director of JAIF Management Team, highlighted an increasingly important role Lao PDR is playing in ASEAN in anticipation of its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024. He noted that more active formulation of JAIF projects by Lao proponents would contribute to narrowing the development gaps within the region, thereby further enhancing integration of ASEAN. “To this end, the JAIF Coaching Clinic is designed to assist potential proponents from line ministries of the Lao PDR to deepen their understanding of JAIF and its procedures,’’ he added.

The 1st JAIF Coaching Clinic gathered about 30 officials from 18 line ministries. In addition to learning about JAIF’s cooperation, the participants learned about the ASEAN Development Cooperation programme from Jasper Belarmino Rom of the ASEAN Secretariat, followed by Phetphouthai Vongphouthai of the Permanent Mission of the Lao PDR to ASEAN who briefed the roles and responsibilities of the Committee of Permanent Representative to ASEAN for appraising ASEAN Development Cooperation project proposals.

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About JAIF:

JAIF was officially established in March 2006 with the purpose of supporting ASEAN’s integration efforts as well as promoting greater cooperation between ASEAN and Japan. The total contributions to date amount to US$ 762 million.

More than 500 projects have since been implemented in the areas of disaster management, counter terrorism, maritime cooperation, economic integration, small and medium-sized enterprises development, youth exchanges, and others. AMS continue to recognise JAIF’s contribution to strengthening ASEAN-Japan relations.