Recognized as an Outstanding Example of International Cooperation for Budget Efficiency and Triangular Partnership.

On November 26, 2025, the rural development project in Laos, implemented by the Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS), has been recognized for its exceptional performance in the field of international development cooperation. The "Project for Formulating the Rural Development Strategy and Increasing Farm Income in North-Central Laos," spearheaded by the KDS Center for International Agriculture & Rural Development, was selected as an outstanding project at the KOICA Southeast Asia Regional Cooperation Best Practice Competition, once again proving the institution's expertise and project management capabilities.

The competition featured 17 projects from 15 institutions, with a panel of internal and external experts selecting one Grand Prize and four Excellence Awards. Among them, the KDS project in north-central Laos received high marks for its systematic project management and its strong potential for scaling up achievements.

In particular, the project was highly praised for enhancing practical outcomes through the efficient execution of its budget. Furthermore, the Triangular Cooperation model driven by collaboration between Korea, Laos, and Vietnam has been recognized as an internationally significant cooperation model, even being featured in an official OECD report.

Building on this success, KDS plans to further strengthen its expertise in rural development and income enhancement, while continuing to expand various cooperation projects that support the sustainable development of partner countries.