Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR: On July 22, 2021, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce together with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), co-hosted Lao PDR GREEN INDUSTRY POLICY Stakeholders’ Engagement Workshop.

The workshop was co-chaired by Dr. Buavanh Vilavong, Director General of Department of Industry and Handicraft, and Mr. Christophe Assicot, Deputy Country Representative of GGGI Lao PDR. The workshop was also joined by relevant stakeholders from key ministries, industrial enterprises, business associations and development partners. This workshop aimed to introduce the green industry principles, policy development methodology and process, and to raise awareness on industrial energy efficiency opportunities in Lao PDR as well as engage and collect feedback from all stakeholders especially the private sector. Inputs gathered during the workshop will contribute to the development of the Green Industry Policy as well as the Industrial Energy Efficiency Policy Guideline and Action Plan.

The workshop also featured a panel discussion between industrial enterprises, business associations, and development partners to share perspectives on how to green the domestic industry including best practices for a greener production such as reducing the amount of plastic in beverage bottles to improve the recycling process, producing organic fertilizer from industrial waste, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, thus contributing to the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

As the industry sector consumes a significant amount of energy and releases pollution, the Green Industry Policy and Industrial Energy Efficiency Policy Guideline and Action Plan will be key steps for Lao PDR in the transition to a sustainable green and effective industrial production