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Hugh Evans

British Ambassador to Laos

Part of UK in Laos

11th September 2015 Vientiane, Laos

Laos: River Pleasures

I am happy to be finally able to post my first blog as an UK Ambassador to Laos, and my first blog ever! I come from a generation that grew up without social media, and I am often wondering how we ever managed without it, seeing how much of an important role it now plays in everyday life.

My official tenure as an Ambassador started in June 2015 and I’m delighted to be the second British Ambassador to Laos since we reopened a mission here in 2012 after a break of nearly 30 years. Ironically, I joined the UK Diplomatic Service in 1985, the year we closed our Embassy in Laos. I spent the early years of my career as a London-based specialist covering different parts of South and South East Asia, though sadly never had the opportunity to visit Laos. I devoted the next 20 years serving in Washington, Nairobi, Khartoum and Moscow and most recently as UK Consul General in northern Iraq.

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Like many newcomers to Laos, the first thing I noticed when looking out of the plane as it came in to land at Wattay Airport was the sheer scale and grandeur of the Mekong river. And, in the weeks following my arrival, I have begun to appreciate just how crucial the river has been in influencing so many aspects of Lao culture and identity. Since I grew up in a town in Scotland where a river was also the focal point of everyday life, it is perhaps not surprising I should already feel a natural affinity with Vientiane, capital of the Lao PDR. Of course, the Mekong is a much mightier waterway than the provincial river of my youth! The sights and sounds of this river city are very different, too, from those I recall as a child. I’ve already visited Buddhist temples, seen spirit houses, participated in a baci ceremony, gone night market shopping, and eaten sticky rice and chicken larp among other delicacies. And my Lao voyage of discovery is only just beginning – I can’t wait! Perhaps you can help me make the most of it.

I never thought I would get back to my professional roots in Asia. So, coming to Laos is like coming home! My wife too feels the same, not least because she is Asian (her family comes from Sri Lanka, another country with strong Buddhist traditions). She and my younger daughter just arrived few weeks ago and are slowly settling in. We also have an older daughter who, like many other 18 year olds, is preparing – with a mixture of trepidation and excitement – to go to university, and start a new phase in her life.

Hugh

As many of you know, I have replaced my friend Philip Malone, who did a fine job in setting up a new embassy and working closely with the Lao government in developing the main priorities for our renewed cooperation. It will be my job to broaden and deepen those ties of friendship, all in the context promoting the development of Laos in an increasingly integrated ASEAN community.

Me at the embassy

Clearly much has changed in Laos since the 1980s when we closed our post. The country has been averaging an impressive 7% GDP growth rate per annum; poverty rates are down; social indicators are up (albeit with significant variations, especially between urban and rural areas). Laos aims to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status by 2020. But important challenges remain. Senior officials have stressed to me how much they value the UK contribution to the programme for clearing unexploded ordinance (around $5 million). They want UK to step up to support efforts to help the government’s development in promoting education, tackling climate change and advancing governance reforms. And they also want me to encourage more British trade and investment with Laos. It will be my core ambition to help promote a modern creative partnership between the UK and Laos to our mutual benefit.

This means there’ll be plenty for me and my dedicated team to do in the next few years as we champion UK interests in this country and enlist UK expertise in supporting different aspects of bilateral cooperation. I’ll be writing regularly on what we’re doing and how we’re getting on. For example, I was delighted that a British theatre performed a Shakespeare play here in Vientiane in July. The National Culture Hall was packed for the performance and reverberated to the sound of standing ovations for the actors. I sent off seven Chevening students to their new academic adventures in various universities in the UK. Next year, that number will be thirteen! We saw a visit from UK’s Wilton Park on building the chairmanship skills for ASEAN, we are expecting a third visit from our Trade Envoy for Laos, Lord Puttnam soon, and we are working on some other senior visits later in the year. I am happy to be surrounded by capable and skilled embassy staff who take initiatives and on whom I can always rely for sound advice!

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Meanwhile, an early personal priority will be travelling around and getting to know this diverse country. I hope to visit all 17 provinces, focusing partly on those places where is a UK development or commercial interest. But like thousands of other UK citizens coming to Laos this year, my family and I also want to explore the history and beauty of this amazing country. If you have any tips on interesting things to see and great places to stay, please drop me a line. And don’t forget to check the Embassy’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ukinlaos for updates on my activities.

1 comment on “Laos: River Pleasures

  1. Wish you well Hugh, hoping you will be a great success in ‘splicing’ together the two nations after so long a stand off period. Will look forward to seeing the brand new embassy when completed. From a recent visit by my daughter who spent the first six months of her life, the old one was taken over by a charity organisition. My time there was 61/62 as a Communications Branch Officer ‘labouring’ away on a morse key to maintain our link with Singapore. Was in command of the embassy launch so that it was maintained in a ‘ship/shape’ condition if required for flight over to Thailand. The accommodation was superb out there at the MIC Site on the banks of the River. No phone line existed to the office – any messages via a driver ! It was a much enjoyed posting despite the dangers and being confined to a ten mile radius. I also ‘did’ Moscow in the 70’s after which, at the age of 45 with 3 children in boarding schools making us all miserable, I retired to Cornwall and here I am at the age of 82 not doing so badly.
    Incidently re your link with Sri Lanka, I had an enjoyable two year posting there whilst in the Royal Navy at the shore wireless station Welisara north of Colombo 1956. Lovely island and toured extensively on my motorbike.
    Best wishes,
    Keith Robinson.

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About Hugh Evans

Mr Hugh Evans was appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in 2015. Mr Evans joined the FCO in 1985 and has covered a wide range of…

Mr Hugh Evans was appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in 2015. Mr Evans joined the FCO in 1985 and has covered a wide range of policy and management roles.

He spent his early career as an FCO Research Analyst working on South and South East Asia and was seconded to the US State Department as a regional expert on Asian affairs. He has since served overseas in Nairobi, Khartoum, Moscow and, most recently, Erbil, in northern Iraq.

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