Press Release

Waste-to-resource facility in Vientiane welcomes Korean National Assembly members and Ambassador to Lao PDR

Vientiane Capital’s waste-to-resource facility, the Integrated Resource Recovery Center (IRRC), has been attracting attention from domestic and international actors. Recently, a delegation from the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea and the Korean Ambassador to Lao PDR visited the facility on May 4, 2023.  

The composting plant, which processes organic waste to compost, was built in March 2022 as part of the “Wastewater and Solid Waste Treatment Capacity Building Project for City Environment Improvement in Lao PDR (2019-2024, 6.5 mil. USD)” project funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and implemented by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). 

During the visit, KOICA briefed the Korean delegation, consisting of three National Assembly members and the Korean Ambassador, on the project’s progress and the IRRC’s operation. The group also took a tour of the facility led by GGGI. 

Mr. Bounpakob Phonharath, Deputy Director General of Vientiane City Office for Management and Services (VCOMS), expressed gratitude for the Korean government’s support and strong will to enhance waste management in the capital city. 

Since its opening, the IRRC has processed 246.3 tons of organic waste collected from households and fresh markets. KOICA and GGGI plan to expand the facility through a subsequent project starting in the third quarter of 2023, which is expected to increase the amount of waste processed.