Ministry of Finance, US Embassy, and UNOPS Celebrate Warehouse Handover in Vientiane for Enhanced Border Management

The facility, located in Vientiane, was delivered as part of the ongoing collaboration to improve border security and strengthen the capacity of the customs department.

The handover ceremony was attended by key representatives from all three parties, including the Director General of the Department of Customs of Lao PDR’s Ministry of Finance Mr. Phoukhaokham Vannavongxay, U.S. Ambassador to Lao PDR Ms. Heather Variara, and UNOPS Director for South East Asia and Pacific Ms. Samina Kadwani.

The newly completed warehouse was designed and constructed by UNOPS with funding from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). The facility will play a vital role in securely storing and managing contraband goods, supporting the Government of Lao PDR’s efforts to combat transnational crime and enhance border control management.

The Director General of the Department of Customs, Mr. Phoukhaokham Vannavongxay, highlighted the importance of this new facility, stating, "This warehouse is not only a customs clearance facility, but also a witness to the close cooperation between [the] two countries. This construction investment emphasized the joint commitment to enhance the law enforcement and the customs operation to be more efficient."

The U.S. Ambassador to Lao PDR, Ms. Heather Variara, echoed these sentiments: "The partnership between the U.S. Embassy and Lao Customs Department is among our strongest, and today’s ceremony is the latest example of that strong relationship, but it will not be the last. […] [The] warehouses support the broader goal of storing seized contraband and evidence that has illicitly entered the country.  Whether it is seized vehicles, inert chemicals, or other smuggled goods, seizures can now be kept in good condition and under positive control until proper disposition."

Ms. Samina Kadwani, UNOPS Director for South East Asia and Pacific, added, “Today’s event is not just a celebration of a building—it represents a successful collaboration between the Government of Lao PDR, the U.S. Department of State, and UNOPS. Together, we have built an infrastructure that strengthens border control operations, enhances national security, and supports the long-term development of the country.”

In addition to celebrating the completion of the warehouse, UNOPS, the U.S. Department of State, and the Government of Lao PDR officially launched Phase 2 of the project. This next phase will focus on the construction of a modern, multi-storey headquarters and training center for the Department of Customs. The new headquarters will provide a dedicated space for training, knowledge exchange, and operational improvement. 

This joint project between the U.S. Department of State, UNOPS, and the Government of Lao PDR exemplifies the power of international cooperation, helping Lao PDR achieve its goals for border security and sustainable development. The event concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a guided tour of the new warehouse.

Press contacts:

Zekun Shi, UNOPS Communications Officer for South East Asia and Pacific 

zekuns@unops.org

About UNOPS

UNOPS mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development. We help the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, and deliver sustainable infrastructure and procurement in an efficient way. Read more at www.unops.org and follow UNOPS on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and WhatsApp.