Vientiane, Lao PDR – April 4, 2025 – The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), in partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Planning (DHUP), Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), convened the inaugural Project Management Unit (PMU) and Project Implementation Unit (PIU) meeting to strengthen governance and coordination for waste management initiatives in Lao PDR under the KOICA funded Scaling Out Sustainable Solid Waste and Wastewater Management to Improve Public Health and Environment in Lao PDR project. 

The meeting focused on reviewing the project progress and clarifying stakeholder roles and responsibilities under 2024 Ministerial Directive No.2895 for Phase 2 of the initiative. The purpose of this phase is to scale up decentralized waste collection service, expanding wastewater treatment solutions and enhancing public across multiple provinces, including Vientiane Capital, Vientiane, Champasak and Savannakhet. 

Under the Ministerial Directive, DHUP has been assigned to lead and provide coordination and oversight to the part of the project which focuses on enhancing sustainable solid waste management services in Sikhottabong district and Sangthong district in Vientiane capital and Vang Vieng district in Vientiane province. 

During the meeting, Ms. Bannaseng Syphoxay, Deputy Director General of DHUP, emphasized the need of long-term approach, stating, “The project has laid a foundation for sustainable waste management, but at the end of the day, it depends on us-the government and implementers to make it lasting impact after the project ends.”  

Ms. Dagmar Zwebe, Country Representative of GGGI Lao PDR, emphasized the significance of effective coordination in delivering lasting improvements to solid waste and wastewater management. “This meeting represents a significant step forward in how we’re governing Outcome 2. Our joint efforts are geared towards tangible improvements such as expanding decentralized waste collection and establishing Integrated Resource Recovery Centers in Vientiane Capital and Vang Vieng. These actions directly support our goal of improving public health and environmental sustainability.” 

The meeting was co-chaired by Ms. Bannaseng Syphoxay, the Deputy Director General of DHUP, Country Representative of GGGI, Ms. Dagmar Zwebe, with the participation from PMU members, including governors from Sikhottabong and Sangthong districts, Vientiane Capital and Vang Vieng district, Vientiane Province, as well as representatives from Vientiane City Office for Management and Services (VCOMS) and KOICA. 

Following the meeting, stakeholders agreed on a coordination mechanism and respective roles in facilitating the delivery of Outcome 2. However, the final agreement is expected to be confirmed at the next meeting before proceeding with the planned next steps. These actions will align with the project objectives and support preparations for the upcoming Project Steering Committee meeting in May 2025. 

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Learn more about the project: https://gggi.org/?p=63691 | Vientiane Times