The signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Academic Exchange and Cooperation between the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs (DVIFA) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People's Democratic Republic was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) in Vientiane. The MOU aims to promote continued collaboration in the field of development, to enhance the potential of government personnel and to strengthen bilateral diplomatic cooperation and academic exchange. This is one of the activities organized to celebrate the 70^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the Lao PDR.

          On 28 September 2020, H.E. Mr. Damrong Kraikruan, Ambassador of Thailand to Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and H.E. Mr. Mai Sayavongs, Director General    of the IFA of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, took part in the signing ceremony for the MOU on Academic Exchange and Cooperation between the DVIFA and the IFA of the Lao PDR.  H.E. Mr. Thongphane Savanphet, Deputy-Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, representatives from other relevant Lao departments and Ms. Urawadee Sriphiromya, Minister of the Royal Thai Embassy in Vientiane, and other Thai officials were also present at the ceremony.

          The first MOU between the DVIFA and the IFA was signed on 24 January 2015. The current Memorandum is the outcome of recent discussions between the two countries.