25th June 2021 – The joint technical meeting between the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and the Global Green Growth Institute Lao PDR was held to review GGGI’s support and achievements over the past 5 years on green growth projects and introduce a new funding opportunity to implement some of green growth initiatives outlined in the 9th National Socio-Economic Development 2021 – 2025 of Lao PDR. The meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, Ms. Phonevanh Outhavong, and Country Representative of GGGI to Lao PDR, Dr. Jaeseung Lee, and participated by senior representatives from relevant departments under MPI, the National Institute for Economic Research, and GGGI Lao senior staff.
Thanks to strong collaboration from MPI and other ministries, the Lao program has been expanding and now working with various stakeholders to identity and implement green growth projects. With GGGI’s technical support, the National Green Growth Strategy of Lao PDR was endorsed in 2019. GGGI has been working with Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) and city authorities of Vientiane Capital and Pakse City to implement the wastewater and solid waste treatment capacity building project for city environment improvement with USD 6.5 million support from KOICA. Some of the key achievements under this project so far include 45 tons of waste recycled and turned into resources, opportunity for green investment mobilization of USD 15 million, and capacity building and educational program with more than 6,000 people. GGGI also supported the Government of Lao PDR through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) to revise the Lao Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and put forth more ambitious mitigation targets, including a national commitment on the 2050 Net Zero Emission. GGGI works with MPWT to promote electric mobility through technical study and analysis, supports the Ministry of Energy and Mine on pilot solar auction, and starts working with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce on green industry and industrial energy efficiency.
During the meeting, GGGI Lao team also introduced the new funding opportunity titled “Green New Deal in Lao PDR” in response to COVID-19 economic recovery and further promotion of green growth initiatives. This new funding proposal aims to support green growth mainstreaming, scale out best practices and pilot interventions under the on-going GGGI project, and implement some of untapped green growth potentials in various sectors identified through GGGI’s engagement with various stakeholders. Some potential interventions include scaling up of decentralized solid waste collection and treatment, and decentralized wastewater treatment, promotion of sustainable mobility through non-motorized transportation and electric vehicles, promotion renewable energy and energy efficiency in buildings, among others. The new funding opportunity has been well received by all participants and valuable feedback and comments were given for further incorporating into the project design.
GGGI will continue to work with the Government of Lao PDR to develop green growth policies, implement green growth interventions, and mobilize green investments in support of the implementation of socio-economic development strategy and plan in green and sustainable manner.