On 14 January 2025, Mr. Michael McCord, USAID/Laos Country Representative of The U.S. Agency for International Development/Regional Development Mission for Asia (USAID/RDMA) presided over the opening ceremony of the “Learning Exchange and Public Event: Insights from Previous Haze Season and Strategies for Future Haze” within TICA – USAID: Transboundary Air Quality Management Project at Pollution Control Department. On this occasion, Mrs. Pimwadee Sovaratanapong, Acting Director-General of Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) also give welcome address through pre-recorded video for the opening session and Mr. Lienxay Bounmanivanh, Director-General General, from the Natural Resources and Environmental Research Institute (NRERI) also give welcome and at the Parkson Mall, Lao PDR.

This activity was organized between 14 - 15 January 2025 at Vientiane and Sangthong District, Lao PDR. The objectives of the workshop are sharing knowledge and technicians from Lao PDR and Thailand to reflect on the previous haze season and use these insights to shape futurehaze management strategies for Lao PDR. Also will serve as a platform for stakeholders to collaboratively examine existing policies of Lao PDR related to open burning and air quality, while exploring ways to enhance current measures. These will be achieved through learning from the expertise and experience of Thailand. For example, warning systems, promoting sustainable land use practices, and advancing public education and awareness campaigns aimed at mitigating agricultural burning and haze pollution with community and local level. Occasionally, the USAID provide a Air quality meters for Laos.