Activity Summary:

• Location: Vientiane Capital
• Date: 18th November 2025
• Activity Type: 1st NATURA project steering committee meeting and site visit
• Approaches: Strong support for NbS and integrating cultural safeguard

Keys Findings:

• Political Mandate for Action: High-level stakeholders committed to accelerate implementation and deliver tangible, immediate results.
• Strategic Refocus: Budget was reallocated to prioritize Nong Loup Ian, initiating urgent physical boundary demarcation.
• Holistic Commitment: Strong local support requires integrating cultural safeguards (temple respect) into the Nature-Based Solutions design.

Nong Loup Ian Wetland – A vital natural shield against urban flooding in Vientiane.

Feature Story

The hope for a greener, safer Vientiane just took a giant leap forward. For years, the vital Nong Loup Ian wetland, a crucial defense against city floods, has been slowly fading. Now, the Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Adaptation (NATURA) Project is bringing that hope to life.

The People’s Mandate for Action

The turning point came at a recent high-level Project Steering Committee Meeting. The baseline study has been completed, and we are now accelerating on-the-ground interventions. Boundary demarcation is an urgent priority and is currently being addressed.

“As all stakeholders and local communities expect to see improvements… the project should begin on-the-ground interventions as soon as possible and focus on producing tangible results.” – H.E. Dethsongkham Thammavong, Vice Minister of MPWT

H.E. Dethsongkham Thammavong, Vice Minister of MPWT, calls for immediate on-the-ground interventions during the site visit.

Focusing on the Future

This mandate immediately clarified the mission: all resources will now be focused on saving and restoring Nong Loup Ian. Teams are now fast-tracking urgent steps, including physically marking the wetland boundary to protect the land from encroachment, ensuring the project delivers maximum flood-reduction benefits directly to families living nearby.

A Promise to Respect Heritage

The story deepened when the project team walked to the wetland’s edge. Their site visit revealed more than just ecological urgency; they discovered a revered local temple, a cornerstone of the community’s spiritual life, right next to the restoration area.

This confirmed a key principle: Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) aren’t just about ecology; they are about respecting the human heart of a place.

The NATURA Project is committed to robust social and environmental safeguards. This is a promise that the restoration will be culturally sensitive, actively protect the sacred temple and local heritage, and integrate the community’s real-world needs into its final design.

Project team at the sacred temple near Nong Loup Ian – ensuring cultural heritage is respected in restoration design.

A Model of Inclusive Resilience

By blending high-level political dedication with an intimate respect for local culture and community needs, the NATURA Project is not just rebuilding a wetland. It is delivering a sustainable, inclusive model of resilience—one in which the environment, heritage, and the well-being of the people are all safeguarded together.

Key Challenges:

• Complex Land Tenure: Adjusted timelines to navigate land ownership processes and ensure legal compliance.
• Strategic Focus: Concentrated efforts on Nong Loup Ian wetland to deliver maximum impact within current resources.
• Future Opportunities: Identified water quality and infrastructure gaps as areas for potential collaboration and investment.

This story was developed through the NATURA Project, supported by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) in partnership with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the Government of Lao PDR.

Learn more about this project: Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Adaptation in Lao PDR (NATURA) Phase I — Global Green Growth Institute

Download full story here: English version