Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR, June 18, 2026 – The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) of Lao PDR convened a validation workshop to review and validate the findings of a Pre-Feasibility Study on establishing Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) for Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) production. The workshop is part of the ASEAN-Korean Cooperation Fund (AKCF) project on Integrated Municipal Solid Waste Management (IMSWM), which aims to evaluate waste management practices and accelerate green investments across the country.

In December 2025, MAE, in collaboration with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Lao PDR, conducted field missions to Luang Prabang, Khammouane, and Champasak provinces to assess waste management practices — covering collection, transportation, and disposal. The team engaged provincial authorities, waste collection companies, recycling operators, and major waste generators to gather on-the-ground insights.

The study found that main districts generate approximately 80–120 tons of waste per day, yet only 30–50% is currently covered by municipal collection services. This gap presents a significant opportunity to recover and process materials through dedicated Material Recovery Facilities.

The workshop was co-chaired by Madam Chithanom Ounsida, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Environment, MAE; Mr. Thevarack Phonekeo, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Planning and Cooperation, MAE; and Ms. Dagmar Zwebe, Country Representative of GGGI Lao PDR. It brought together key participants from Luang Prabang, Thakhek, and Pakse, along with representatives from line ministries, development partners, academia, and the private sector.
The event provided a platform to present initial findings, foster inclusive discussion, address gaps in the study, and explore investment opportunities in waste-to-energy. These insights will inform the development of sustainable waste management policies and strategies for Lao PDR, aligned with ASEAN’s Circular Economy Framework and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprint.

Madam Chithanom Ounsida

Mr. Thevarack Phonekeo

Ms. Dagmar Zwebe

 

 

Madam Chithanom Ounsida spoke in her remarks that “The accurate data and information studied through this assessment are essential to evaluate the investment landscape and provide a clearer visibility toward the operational and financial model of this investment project idea.”

“The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment plays a key role in ensuring that environmental sustainability is fully integrated in the government plan and our sectoral strategies are aligned with national priorities and international commitments, including the ASEAN Vision 2040 and the ASCC Blueprint 2025,” mentioned Mr. Thevarack Phonekeo.

“Last year, in 2025, we collectively selected an investment project idea for this Pre-Feasibility Study. This investment project’s key objective is to identify the key entry points to establish Material Recovery Facilities to produce Refuse-Derived Fuel in the selected provinces of Lao PDR, with the aim of enabling Public-Private Partnerships in the waste-to-energy initiative. In ASEAN, we aim to mobilize USD100million investment for municipal waste projects, while in Lao PDR, with this Pre-Feasibility Study, we aim to unlock USD10 million in green investments,” added Ms. Dagmar Zwebe.

The pre-feasibility study supports the broader investment acceleration objective of the AKCF IMSWM project, which seeks to highlight green investment opportunities for Environmentally Sustainable Cities, with a goal of mobilizing $100 million in green investments.

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