2 Home news Monday December 14, 2020 Times Students deepen insight into gender-related issues of violence against women and girls. Talks centred on the protection of women and girls, labour, abuse of disabled people, health issues, human trafficking, drug abuse and the sex trade. Assoc. Prof. Dr Khamphong said the gathering was a good opportunity to share experiences and that it was important for students to have a broader perspective of the roles played by men The road linking between the Tanmixay crossroads in Xaythany district and the Sikeuth junction in Naxaithong district, Vientiane, now open for public use following the completion and women and the roles of a major upgrade of this 9.4-km road. Students browse items on sale during an event to discuss of people’s groups in the the elimination of violence against women and girls, held at country’s development and the National University of on Friday. social development. A group of young Upgraded city road paves way Sangkhomsay bolster their understanding performers took to the stage Bubphanouvong of the topic to mark the to enact a play called “Time Day for the Elimination of to Care”, for which they for easier traffic flow Students at the National Violence against Women won a competition held in Phomphong Laoin Construction was The road upgrade was University of Laos (NUOL) and Girls on November 25. July. There are more than initially scheduled for one of the priority projects on Friday engaged in The talks were attended 20 disabled students taking Driving between the completion within two earmarked to improve discussions on participation by the Vice President courses at NUOL. Tanmixay crossroads in years, with the upgrade infrastructure in the capital. in development and access of NUOL, Associate The university and Xaythany district and set to take place from The improved road will to social services by men, Professor Dr Khamphong Oxfam co-organised the Sikeuth junction November 2016-2018 at a facilitate the passage of women, people with Nammavongmixay, Oxfam the awareness-raising in Naxaithong district, cost of US$45.1 million or heavy trucks travelling disabilities, and people of representative Ms Kathy programme, which was Vientiane, is now much about 367 billion kip, which between the northern and sexual and gender diversity. Richards, and representatives attended by representatives smoother following the was borne by the contractor. southern provinces, or to The university’s of other organisations. of several organisations, completion of a major The government will and from the Vientiane Women’s Union organsied Participants discussed who also exhibited their upgrade of this 9.4-km road. repay this amount to Friendship Bridge, to the event for participants to the roles played by men and goods and services at the A ceremony last Tangchaleun Group Co., avoid the congested city share their experiences and women and the elimination event. week saw the completed Ltd. over a period of seven centre. project handed over years with an interest rate of The new road will also by the Chairman of the 3.5 percent per annum. improve conditions for local University, partners discourage Tangchaleun Group (the The project agreement vendors and residents. contractor), Mr Hua Seng- was extended twice when The road connects Road aloun, to Director of the financial difficulties meant No. 13 North, 450 Road and trade in wildlife products Vientiane Public Works and work fell behind schedule. Kaysone Phomvihane Road Transport Department, Mr It also took longer than via the National University Times reporters products. Speaking at the touch with them. They can Soulivanh Phommahaxay. expected to remove all of of Laos. event, the Dean of SU, Mr play an important role in The event was attended the obstacles that were It is one of the capital’s Souphanouvong University Vixay Chansavang, said that changing this trend. by Minister of Public Works impeding construction and main access routes and (SU) in cooperation with Lao PDR is a major hub Meanwhile, Chinese and Transport Dr Bounchanh to install electricity and carries a large volume of the Department of Forest for wildlife trade in Asia. companies and workers Sinthavong, Vientiane water connections. traffic, especially during the Inspection (DOFI) under the Endangered wildlife such in Laos also run the risk Mayor Dr Sinlavong The completed road is rush hour, as it is located Ministry of Agriculture and as elephants, rhinos, tigers, of violating laws and Khoutphaythoune, and other 28 metres wide and has six close to several schools and Forestry, and World Wide pangolins, and bears are regulations by purchasing guests. lanes. the university. Fund for Nature (WWF) sold in markets and malls illegal wildlife products. in Laos are continuing to for Chinese tourists. WWF and TRAFFIC are enhance awareness about Consumer surveys working together to address Govt, Laos-China Railway... FROM PAGE 1 the importance of saving commissioned by TRAFFIC the challenges by facilitating wildlife. and WWF indicate China’s training and advocacy for the growth of industry, the provinces of Vientiane, within the region. At a workshop, Chinese regular overseas travellers are opportunities for tour guides logistics, commerce, and Luang Prabang, Oudomxay When it is operational, investors in Luang Prabang persistent buyers accounting and Chinese companies and local economies. and Luang Namtha, passing the railway will cut the province were made aware for 58 percent of the buyers, workers in Laos. The targeted areas are through 75 tunnels with cost of transport through of green investments and the with most intending to buy The activity will be the station in Vientiane, a a combined length of northwestern Laos by 30- importance of not dealing ivory (GlobeScan, 2018). followed up with the station in , 197.83km, according to 40 percent compared to in illegal wildlife products. Mr Vixay urged tourism commitment made by tour , a station the Laos-China Railway transport by road. A training workshop at students, tour guides, guides, companies and in Xay district, Oudomxay Co., Ltd. Construction The 422.4-kilometre SU for tourism students, and Chinese companies authorities in Laos together province, and a station in of the US$5.986 billion railway runs from the tour guides, and investment to not encourage trade in with awareness raising on the Luang Prabang province. (37.4 billion yuan) railway Boten border crossing in companies was held on illegal wildlife products. knowledge and skills of the As of December 10, began in December 2016 northern Laos, bordering December 9, which was He suggested that this risk of tourism, illegal wildlife work on the tunnel railroad, and is scheduled to be China, to Vientiane, with supported by WWF, the can be done by increasing product consumption linking tunnels, and bridges was complete and open for use trains running at a maximum Wildlife Trade Monitoring awareness about the issue with the pandemic of COVID about 95 percent complete, in December 2021. speed of 160km per hour. Network (TRAFFIC), and and capacity building. 19 as a transmission disease while railroad tracks and The Laos-China railway The government the Wildlife Conservation The Deputy Director of which transmitted from the buildings were 41.3 percent is a strategic part of China’s is confident the railway Society (WCS) in Laos (DOFI), Mrs Lormkham animals to the human by complete, Mr Xiao said. Belt and Road Initiative and will spur socio-economic aimed to address the Sengchan-Oudom, said tour engaging with the WHO and The 422.4-km railway, the government’s plan to development and enable challenges of discouraging guides play a crucial role as the Health sector and other which connects Vientiane to transform Laos from being Laos to make greater trade in illegal wildlife most potential buyers get in agencies in the Lao PDR. the Chinese border, traverses landlocked to a land linked progress.

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