Vientiane, Lao PDR, March 28, 2024 – The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), in collaboration with the Department of Planning (DoP) of Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) of Lao PDR with funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), launched the ‘Scaling Out Sustainable Solid Waste and Wastewater Management to Improve Public Health and Environment in Lao PDR’ project, with total budget of US$ 10.5 million. Key stakeholders, including representatives from the National government, Provincial governments of Vientiane, Champasak, and Savannakhet, and various sub-national entities, convened to reaffirm project details, governance structures, and share progress updates.
The project rolled out its first phase from 2019 to 2024 with a budget of US$ 6.5 million from KOICA. It was to address critical urban challenges such as poor water quality, inadequate sanitation services, and public health issues due to rapid urbanization and population growth. The project benefited approximately 70,000 people with access to improved waste management services in Vientiane Capital, and 140,000 people with access to enhanced sanitation services in Pakse City. Building on the success of Phase I, the additional US$ 10.5 million will be utilized to support the Government of Lao PDR establish enhanced green city plans and attract green investment; scale up waste management and collection services; and enhance wastewater treatment services.
In more detail, the project aims to strengthen the green city planning capacity of the Government of Lao PDR by training approximately 400 government officials. Moreover, 900 jobs will be created with the newly mobilized green investment. The project will also scale up the efforts to improve decentralized waste management and collection services in Vientiane Capital by constructing integrated resource recovery centers and carrying out public awareness campaigns and training on waste separation and recycling. It is anticipated that more than 67,000 residents will directly benefit from the services, and it will create up to 1,500 green jobs. Lastly, the project includes constructing decentralized wastewater treatment systems (DEWATS) in Pakse City (Champasak Province) and Kaysone Phomvihane City (Savannakhet Province) and rehabilitating a fecal sludge treatment plant (FSTP) in Kaysone Phomvihane City. The DEWATS will provide wastewater treatment services to 5,800 residents and the FSTP will potentially cover the whole Kaysone Phomvihane City with an estimated population of 150,000 by 2027.
These expansions and scale-up efforts are vital to enhance the country’s capacity to achieve its sustainable development objectives, particularly in improving health, sanitation, and water management. The decentralized waste management systems will strengthen the circular economy of Vientiane while the DEWATS will improve the sanitation services in Champasak and Savannakhet; both contributing to improved public health of Lao PDR. These efforts are also outlined in the National Socio-Economic Development Plan of the Government of Lao PDR, and in alignment with the partnership strategy of the two countries and KOICA for Lao PDR.
This event was co-chaired by Mr. Oula Somchanmavong Deputy Director General of the DoP of the MPI, Ms. Nayoung Kim Deputy Country Director of KOICA, and Ms. Eva Diaz Ugena Deputy Country Representative of GGGI Lao PDR, and included the participation of key stakeholders from the Government of Lao PDR.
“MPI will serve as the focal ministry, leveraging insights gained from Phase I to spearhead coordination efforts across national, provincial, and city levels. Our partnership with KOICA and GGGI is cherished, and we eagerly anticipate the forthcoming years of collaborative implementation,” Mr. Somchanmavong said.
In alignment with this vision, Ms. Kim affirmed that “KOICA and our partners will utilize the combined skills and knowledge to effectively tackle obstacles and achieve concrete results.”
“This milestone event signifies a stride not only in expediting project execution but also in solidifying partnerships with all relevant stakeholders. On behalf of GGGI, we eagerly anticipate working closely with our partners to ensure effective project management and implementation.” Ms. Ugena said.