This project enhances urban basic services in Vientiane Capital and Pakse City, through the delivery of policy, planning, regulation, infrastructure and improved community behavior for sustainable solid waste and wastewater management. The project is led by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, in collaboration with the Vientiane Capital Administration, Champassak Province, and the Pakse City Administration, with support from the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Lao PDR. In terms of infrastructure, an integrated resource recovery center (IRRC), waste recycling banks, decentralized solid waste collection systems, decentralized wastewater treatment systems (DEWATS) and a fecal sludge treatment plant (FSTP) are being built and operated.

– Enhance capacity to manage green city development
– Improve access to solid waste management and treatment services, including waste-to-resource initiatives
– Improve access to wastewater management and treatment services

Lao PDR is urbanizing rapidly. As the population in urban areas increases, so too does the volume of solid waste and wastewater that is generated. Many urban households do not receive a regular solid waste collection service, and as a result, waste is often dumped and burned illegally. Similarly, household wastewater is often discharged into local waterways and canals untreated. These practices lead to the contamination of soils, waterways and the air, and create public health risks.

To address these and other challenges, the Government of Lao PDR has set a range of green growth targets. These include the fostering of green and sustainable cities and renewed investment in urban and social services for improved public health and human capital.

– The National Green Growth Strategy prioritizes sustainable urban development and green residential areas in order to improve quality of life and sets targets for sustainable waste management systems.
– The 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan promotes green growth and the creation of a circular economy and prioritizes sustainable waste management.
– The Nationally Determined Contribution sets a range of climate targets, including waste management targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

For improved urban sustainability, this project is enhancing planning and technical capacity within Vientiane Capital and Pakse City and designing and constructing solid waste and wastewater management infrastructure in both cities. Additionally, the project provides training to government officials, private sector operators, and community representatives on waste management and sanitation practices.

In Vientiane:

– 1 strategy, 1 plan and 1 regulation adopted for improved urban environmental management

– 1 integrated resource recovery center designed, built and operated

– 76 waste recycling banks installed in schools and 24,000 students with increased environmental awareness

– 7,000 residents across 3 villages receiving waste collection services

– 3 fresh produce markets provided with organic waste collection services

In Pakse:

– 1 strategy, 1 plan and 1 regulation adopted for improved urban environmental management
– 1 fecal sludge treatment plan designed, built and operated, servicing 120,000 residents
– 4 decentralized wastewater treatment systems designed, built and operated
– 9,000 residents across 4 villages with wastewater management services