Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR — September 24 – 25, 5025 — The Government of Laos, with support from the Government of Australia, Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), EnergyLab Asia and Partnerships for Infrastructure’s Laos-Australia Sustainable Energy Partnership (LASEP), organised the Carbon Markets and Clean Energy Conference over two days. This conference was aimed to bring together climate, carbon market and energy sector leaders and stakeholders, to learn, discuss, connect, and accelerate climate action. 

The first day was dedicated as the 2nd Carbon Market Forum focused on scaling carbon markets in Lao PDR. It was chaired by H.E. Dr. Linkham Douangsavanh, Minister of Agriculture and Environment, H.E. Ms. Megan Jones, Ambassador of Australia to Lao PDR, Dr. Mallé Fofana, Regional Director and Head of Programs for Asia, GGGI.

The second day focused on accelerating an inclusive and resilient energy transition. Madam Santisouk Phimphachanh, Director General, Department of Policy, Planning and Evaluation (MOIC),  Ms Benita Sommerville, Deputy Ambassador of Australia to Lao PDR, and Mr Natharoun Ngo Son, Regional Director, EnergyLab Asia chaired the day.

The conference gathered over 200 participants from government, civil society, development partners and the private sector from within Lao PDR and internationally.  

The government of Lao PDR has prioritized addressing climate change issues both domestically and through international collaboration. On the first day of the conference, stakeholders from various organizations discussed the policy and institutional ecosystem for carbon trading being established in Lao PDR and the opportunities presented by carbon markets. The discussion specifically focused on moving from policy to action and scaling high-integrity carbon market solutions aligned with the Paris Agreement. 

This dialogue was particularly significant given the recent adoption of the Carbon Credit Decree. On 28 May 2025, the Lao government, through the signature of H.E. Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, adopted the Carbon Credit Decree, representing a landmark step toward maximizing the flow of carbon revenue to the country. 

These efforts have been supported through the programme on Open and Sustainable Carbon Markets in Lao PDR, funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and co-implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and GGGI. The project has focused on strengthening policies, institutions, and systems for carbon markets in Lao PDR. 

The project aligns with Australia’s climate ambitions both domestically and globally, aiming to reduce emissions and explore economic opportunities within the global net-zero transition. Climate change is at the heart of Australia’s international development policy. It is one of the four pillars in the Comprehensive Partnership between Lao PDR and Australia that was signed by the respective Prime Ministers last year. 

The second day of the conference focused on the need for a clean energy transition. The energy sector plays important role for the Lao economy, from both the value of electricity exports and investment in the power sector, as well as through the cost of energy imports for transport and other uses. With costs for solar, wind, batteries and electric vehicles falling so significantly in recent years, there are opportunities ahead for Lao PDR to use these and other clean energy technologies to address energy security and supply and meet climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. 

Over the two days, more than 35 panellists discussed and brainstormed covering topics from building carbon market readiness and unlocking investment opportunities, to developing business ecosystems for carbon markets and exploring regional perspectives on energy transition and integrating clean energy technologies in Lao PDR.  Key themes that emerged as from the discussion included private sector mobilization, overcoming investment barriers in carbon and energy sector projects, and scaling financing solutions.  

The conference served as an important platform to fostering dialogues amongst the various stakeholders on advancing carbon markets and clean energy solutions in Lao PDR, and how the country can translate policy frameworks to concrete action.