Vientiane, 25 October 2024: The Government of Lao PDR, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), organized this year's Sub-Sector Working Group Meeting (SSWG) on Climate Change, and Environment at Muong Thanh Hotel, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR. 

Lao PDR’s vulnerability to climate change and natural disaster requires urgent effective action, grounded in solid adaptation and mitigation plans. Lao PDR has made vigorous commitments and efforts to address its vulnerabilities. The 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2021-2025) includes clear measures and targets to mitigate all aspects of the triple planetary crisis: climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Lao PDR has set the regional bar by becoming the first ASEAN country to pledge net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, along with a commitment to reduce GHGs by 60%, increase forest coverage by 70%, and promote the use of renewable and clean energy. 

Chaired by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environments (MONRE) and co-chaired by UNDP, the SWG meeting brought together government agencies, development partners, and other stakeholders to assess progress on Lao PDR’s climate and environmental goals. It reviewed this year's achievements and discussed future collaboration in climate action, particularly focusing on feedback and the way forward for the Long-term Low Greenhouse Gas Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS). The meeting also provided updates on the progress in the preparation of the national report on the implementation of biodiversity conservation policies under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) framework and other action plans aimed at advancing climate change and environmental goals.

Mr. Amphayvanh Oudomdeth, Deputy Director General, Department of Climate Change (DCC), Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment, the chair of the meeting noted that “An enhanced level of support from development partners (DPs) is essential, particularly in providing technical reviews to help the government achieve LT-LEDS targets. Their increased engagement can significantly contribute to long-term low-emission development goals. 

Meanwhile Mr. Thome Xaisomgkham, Officer-in-Charge, Team Leader, Natural Resource Management, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Unit (UNDP) emphasized that “It is the right time to review our implementation plans, including NDC 2.0 and NBSAP to address existing gaps and find ways forward. Climate change is one of the priority areas in the National Social-Economic Development Strategy (9th NSEDP), as emphasized in Outcome 4. To enhance our climate action efforts, UNDP will work closely with DCC to ensure that contributions from various sectors to climate change issue are integrated for future consultations’’. 

The meeting reaffirmed the need for continued collaboration among stakeholders to tackle the urgent challenges of climate change and disaster risks reduction. The Government of Lao PDR, UNDP, development partners and the sector stakeholders pledge to continue to work together to ensure that the country and communities are well-prepared to protect people and strengthen their resilience and that of future generations.