The Asia Foundation – On 23 February, the Department of Environment under Laos’ Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, signed a partnership agreement with The Asia Foundation to strengthen the way Laos reviews the environmental and social impacts of major projects like power plants and mines.
This new partnership aims to ensure that future infrastructure projects protect the environment and local communities.
“This partnership strengthens the environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) process, helping us manage environmental and social risks in infrastructure development. It will also build the capacity of our staff, ensuring a more sustainable future for Laos,” said Saynakhone Inthavong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment
The program is supported by the Australian Government through the Mekong-Australia Partnership. It focuses on improving the skills of both national and provincial officials in reviewing and monitoring the impacts of projects, especially in renewable energy and mining.
This partnership builds on an earlier phase from 2022-2023, which helped Laos’ government staff become better at assessing and managing environmental and social impacts.
The second phase of the program will also develop guidelines for handling environmental impacts in the renewable energy and mining sectors. A field visit to Vietnam will allow Laos’ government to learn about best practices in managing these impacts.
The program will also include gender equality, disability, and social inclusion in the planning and development of future projects.
By improving the ESIA process, this partnership aims to help Laos protect its natural resources, build a more resilient climate, and promote sustainable development for the people of Laos.
