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10-year Sustainable Solid Waste Management Strategy officially endorsed by the Mayor of Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR

On 11 October 2021, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR – The Sustainable Solid Waste Management Strategy and Action Plan for Vientiane 2021-2030 (“the Strategy”) was officially endorsed by the Mayor of Vientiane Capital, marking a moment of green transition to circular economy-based sustainable solid waste management in the capital city of Lao PDR.

With financial support from Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and close collaboration with Vientiane City Office for Management and Service (VCOMS), GGGI has provided technical advisory service to the city government in developing the Strategy since 2019. The endorsed strategy presents a vision, six strategic outcomes, medium and long-term targets, and associated workplan to provide clear guidance on improving the waste management system with an aim to achieve clean, green, and livable Vientiane City.

The Strategy emphasize a paradigm shift from waste management to resource and material management. This circular economy-based approach will promote source segregation, waste-to-resource opportunities as well as green job creation. By enhancing waste collection and the value chain of recyclable materials, the Strategy is expected to replace existing collection-focused waste management approach and effectively respond to increasing municipal waste in Vientiane Capital.

Since the validation workshop on the draft of the Strategy held on 12 June 2020, GGGI has facilitated the endorsement of strategy by organizing stakeholder consultation workshop and review meetings with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) and district governors in Vientiane with an aim to mobilize multi-stakeholder participation in implementation of the Strategy. The Strategy was also validated by Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) and relevant departments from the city government of Vientiane. The inputs from the development partners such as World Bank (WB), European Union (EU), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), GIZ and Swisscontact are reflected in the final version of the Strategy.

“I am very grateful to the technical support provided by GGGI on development of this Strategy. I was very impressed by the positive feedback we received and active participation both from the national and municipal governments in reviewing the Strategy. We will further request GGGI’s support on development of new regulations on solid waste management in Vientiane Capital in line with the Strategy” said Mr. Bounchanh Keosithamma, Director General of VCOMS.

GGGI will continue to support VCOMS and the government of Vientiane Capital in communicating and implementing the Strategy through catalytic waste-to-resource projects on the ground.