Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR, December 13, 2024 – GGGI has engaged to inspire young students through convening a knowledge sharing session at the 3rd Lao National Urban Forum 2024, jointly organized by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, UN-Habitat, and the National University of Laos. The session entitled ‘Youth and Waste to Resources”, was jointly convened by GGGI Lao PDR, the Vientiane City Office for Management and Services (VCOMS), KOICA, GIZ Laos, and the World Bank. The session presented how youths are engaged in waste to resource transition and how they can take part in transforming sustainable waste management practices as part of SDG localization efforts.

Representatives from various GGGI’s stakeholders at the “Youth and Waste-to-Resources” session

In Vientiane, the most rapid grown city in Lao PDR, has placed a significant strain on its sustainable development infrastructure, particularly waste management. “GGGI’s report in 2021, we found that solid waste generation is 354,050 tons annually and expect to rise to 551,880 tons by 2030. The city faces challenges in collecting, processing, and disposing of solid waste in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner. Currently, the only available method for final waste disposal is to open dumping at the landfills managed by the government. Additionally, open burning and dumping at improper areas are generally found in practice by community households.” Presented by Miss Thidalath Vongsayalath. “As the big amount of waste generated, is no longer only the government responsibility, and youth participation to addressing this critical issue, will contribute an important support.” She added.

The 2024 edition of the 3rd National Urban Forum focused on SDG Localization: Partnering with Youth for Achieving SDGs. GGGI delivered the session to the target audiences, the university and college students through sharing on project implementation experiences, provided insights on the complexity of waste management challenges in Lao PDR, which covered the current situation of waste management and how poor waste management practices can cause pollution, and negative environmental impacts.  The session also gave the students a sense of how their participation can make a bigger positive change to sustainability of waste management.

University students listen to an explanation about the proper use of recycling bins.

In showcasing solutions, GGGI demonstrated their projects’ implementation, including achievements under the KOICA funded Wastewater and Solid Waste Treatment Capacity Building Project for City Environment Improvement in Lao PDR, the ASEAN Municipal Solid Waste Management Enhancement (AMUSE) project, and the planned World Bank’s Lao Pollution and Waste Management project. These initiatives served as educational opportunity for the students, demonstrating practical approaches to sustainable waste management. Through these projects, GGGI and partners showcased how youth volunteers are leading the way in promoting a circular economy transition, increasing recycling and mobilizing communities to engage in sustainable waste management practices. To further these efforts, GGGI is exploring opportunities to scale up their interventions, for instance, expand the Waste Recycling Banks that were carried out under the aforementioned KOICA-GGGI project to more schools across Lao PDR.

Visitors answer questions about waste segregation and recycling to win the price at the GGGI booth.

“Creating a waste management system in our community requires comprehensive collaboration from both government and private sector. We are currently working towards enhancing waste collection service, composting organic waste, and converting it into energy (RDF) for cement factories. However, lasting solutions depend on everyone’s hand and every active participation. I’d like to encourage all youth and community to join us – reduce your single-use plastics and be mindful of your consumption, because this action may seem small but can only start with your responsibility.” Said Mr. Panya Manivong, Deputy Director General of VCOMS.

Ms. Jeongyi Choi, Deputy Country Director of KOICA, highlighted the importance of tackling environmental and health challenges arising from urbanization through collaboration with youth, stating: “The urban challenges we face today, from environmental degradation to rapid urbanization, will ultimately be inherited by this generation. It is essential to recognize that the youth are not merely the beneficiaries of the decisions we make today; they are the ones who will carry the responsibility of addressing these challenges, building solutions, and steering this country toward a sustainable and prosperous future.”

“We – the German cooperation – support our partners with building a climate-friendly, resource-efficient waste management system and circular economy. We strongly belief – changing the current linear economic model – the ‘take-make-waste’ economy into a circular model offers great opportunities. Thereby we focus on the participation of women, youth and other disadvantaged groups in planning and decision-making processes.” Said Ms. Sina Thiessen, Project Manager, AMUSE GIZ Laos.

Mr. George Asiimwe, Senior Officer and Head of the Waste Management Unit at GGGI Lao PDR, highlighted how empowering youth through campaigns, school programs, and surveys drives community-led environmental protection and also is important for building the capacity of the youth to become global environment champions.