IRRI receives Cross of Friendship medal from Lao PDR

IRRI News - Feb 07, 2025

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines (6 February 2025) – The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) was conferred with the Cross of Friendship medal by the government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) for its “excellent work contributing to research on rice varieties” through the Prime Minister’s Decree Letter dated January 22, 2025.

Dr. Linkham Douangsavanh, Minister of the Lao PDR Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) presented the award to IRRI Director General Dr. Yvonne Pinto during the Lao PDR delegation’s visit to the IRRI headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines on February 6, 2025.

The Cross of Friendship medal is a prestigious honor awarded by the Government of Lao PDR to foreign individuals and organizations in recognition of their outstanding contributions and support to the country.

The citation also highlighted IRRI’s continuing work on testing rice quality and new rice varieties, and implementing various projects in the Lao PDR since 2011, helping foster strong relations and cooperation between the Lao PDR and the Philippines.

See https://www.irri.org/news-and-events/news/irri-receives-cross-friendship-medal-lao-pdr