December 19, 2024, Vientiane Capital – In 2024, with support from the UNDP UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) project, Lao national operators (UXO Lao and Unit 58 of the Lao People’s Army) surveyed 2,674 hectares of land, identifying 1,736 hectares as hazardous. They cleared 626 hectares of UXO across seven provinces, destroying nearly 13,000 UXO[1].

Presented during the second Project Board Meeting of 2024 of the project “Supporting Effectiveness and Efficiency in the UXO Sector to contribute to the achievement of SDG 18 and Safe Path Forward III (SPF III)”, these achievements benefited 52,270 people (52% women) who can now safely access land that was previously contaminated with unexploded remnants of the Second Indochina War. 

The project, funded by Canada, Ireland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, and Republic of Korea also supported Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) initiatives that reached almost 97,000 individuals (49% women), as well as the work of the National Regulatory Authority (NRA), in its role as regulator and coordinator of the UXO sector. 

While welcoming these results, the UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Martine Therer, expressed deep concern over the rise in UXO casualties in 2024. As of November, 49 casualties have been reported, with 62% of the victims being children—a stark reminder of the urgent need to intensify clearance and education efforts to protect vulnerable populations. Despite these challenges, she commended the government for the significant progress achieved in prioritization efforts and reaffirmed UNDP's commitment to further strengthening these initiatives. She also highlighted the ongoing review of National Standards, which is on track for completion in 2024, as a pivotal step toward enhancing governance and operational efficiency within the UXO sector.

H.E. Mr. Phoxay Khaykhamphitheoune, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, urged local authorities to engage and collaborate with national, provincial, and district UXO Regulatory Authorities throughout the entire project to ensure that clearance activities are carried out effectively and efficiently, maximizing benefits for local communities. The Vice-Minister also emphasized the importance of enhanced coordination between central and provincial governments in executing Lao PDR’s national UXO objectives and legislation, under the guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

The meeting was attended by Vice-Minister of National Defense, Mr. Pasith Thieng Tham,  the Vice-Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Mr. Phongsaysack Inthalath, and other high-level representatives of the Government, and Provincial authorities, as well as Mr. Bounpheng Sisawath, Director General of the NRA, Mr. Anousak Phongsa, National Programme Director of the UXO Lao, and Mr. Phonkeo Oradom, Head of Unit 58. Development partners and donors included representatives from the Embassies of Canada, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Republic of Korea and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

[1] According to NRA Dashboard of 5^th December 2024.