Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR — May 8, 2025
The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) convened the first Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting to present the progress of the “Scaling out Sustainable Solid Waste and Wastewater Management to Improve Public Health and Environment in Lao PDR” project, which has been under implementation since October 2023.

Building on the success of the first phase, the second phase of “Scaling out Sustainable Solid Waste and Wastewater Management to Improve Public Health and Environment in Lao PDR” invested USD 10.5 million, funded by KOICA, to improve solid waste and wastewater management infrastructure in key cities and provinces: Vientiane Capital, Vientiane Province, Champasak Province, and Savannakhet Province.

In Vientiane Capital and Vientiane Province, the project aims to enhance the capacity of local governments to manage decentralized waste collection and disposal services. Meanwhile, in Pakse City and Kaysone Phomvihane City, efforts are being made to improve the local capacity for wastewater treatment and service delivery. At the national level, the project is supporting the Ministry of Planning and Investment to integrate green growth elements into the 10th National Socioeconomic Development Plan (NSEDP) and 4 Provincial Socioeconomic Plans (PSEDPs) by developing green growth policy priorities and projects required and by providing capacity building on green policy development, monitoring, and green financing.

The PSC meeting served as a critical platform to review project progress, identify key challenges, and discuss risk mitigation strategies to ensure smooth implementation. One of the project’s most notable advancements is the establishment of decentralized waste management systems in Sangthong and Vang Vieng districts. In collaboration with local governments, the project conducted surveys to assess waste generation and composition—key inputs for developing tailored project activities and action plans.

The meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Mme. Phonevanh Outhavong, Vice Minister of Planning and Investment (MPI), H.E. Mr. Litta Kattiya, Vice Minister of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), Mr. Sungsoo Oh, KOICA Country Director, and Ms. Dagmar Zwebe, GGGI Lao PDR Country Representative. This high-level gathering also brought together the vice governor and director general-level officials from four participating provinces and line ministries, including MPI, MPWT, and MONRE.
During the event, Vice Minister Phonevanh Outhavong highlighted the ongoing challenges Lao PDR faces in waste and wastewater management due to limited budgets and inadequate tools. She emphasized the significance of this project in addressing those challenges, stating: “This Phase 2 project is a meaningful contribution to our national development goals, promoting integrated waste solutions and a circular economy. It also supports job creation in the green sector and advances our commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals.

At the same time, the drafting of the 10th NSEDP is underway, with a strong emphasis on addressing climate change and global warming. Achieving these national goals will require the integration of green growth principles. This project will support that integration by contributing relevant goals, targets, and indicators to the 10th NSEDP. MPI will play a key role in guiding these efforts.

KOICA Country Director Mr. Sungsoo Oh noted: “KOICA deeply values the partnership we share with the Lao Government, GGGI, and all key stakeholders — built on trust, collaboration, and a bold vision for greener, more resilient cities,” he said. He also highlighted that the Phase 2 project builds on the achievements of Phase 1, which strengthened national capacity and affirmed the power of working together. “With this solid foundation, we are confident the project will deliver meaningful change and improve the lives of future generations,” he added.

Mr Litta Kattiya highlighted the importance of stakeholder collaboration, noting, “While listening to the presentations, I recognized the significant progress the project has made. However, we must also acknowledge the challenges encountered during implementation. To improve workflow, it is crucial for each stakeholder to remain attentive and actively support the implementation process.”

Ms. Dagmar emphasized, “Through the successful implementation of the project since Phase 1, a key lesson learned is the importance of shifting our mindset about waste — viewing it not as trash, but as a valuable resource.” She also recommended adopting a more sustainable approach by acknowledging tariffs are needed when developing sustainable solid waste and wastewater management solutions. “By fostering this understanding, we can attract investment not only from local private sectors but also from international investors.”

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to accelerate implementation in 2025, improve cross-sector coordination, and maximize community impact in Lao PDR’s urban and peri-urban areas.