Vientiane Capital, 08 November 2024 – With the support of UN agencies and development partners, Lao PDR delegation is preparing for the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) which will take place from 11 to 22 November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) organized a pre-COP briefing in Vientiane for the delegation, which will be led by H.E. Mme Bounkham Vorachit, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) and will include representatives from several line ministries.  

The pre-COP briefing provided an overview of priorities and critical negotiation areas where progress is expected in Baku, including climate finance, the loss and damage fund, carbon markets, the transition away from fossil fuels, and new national climate commitments through a new round of more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that will be presented at COP30 in Brazil. The impact of climate change on health systems, progress in the implementation of the Early Warning for All initiative (EW4All), and youth and children’s participation in climate action were also highlighted. 

The briefing was co-chaired by H.E. Mme Bounkham Vorachit, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, and Ms. Martine Thérer, UNDP Resident Representative in Lao PDR. H.E. Mme Bounkham Vorachit, Vice-Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, and Dr. Sanong Thongsana, Vice-Minister of Health, attended the briefing, as well as representatives from Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), and several departments of MONRE (Department of Climate Change (DCC), Department of Planning and Finance (DPF), Department of Organization and Personnel (DOP), the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH)). Several UN agencies, development partners and civil society organizations also attended.  

For Lao PDR, scientists predict that temperatures will continue to rise (a 2–3° C rise in temperature by 20501), with dry seasons getting longer and a 10–30% increase in rainfall during the rainy season. Laos’ dependence on natural resources for its development makes it particularly vulnerable to the impact of climate change. More severe and frequent rainfall, storms, droughts and floods will affect communities' health, economy, and livelihoods.  In September 2024, monsoon floods triggered by Typhoon Yagi caused devastation and damage estimated at USD 264.3 million. Without proper preparation, climate impacts may jeopardize development progress and exacerbate inequalities. 

Lao PDR was the first ASEAN nation to pledge net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The country has also committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 60%, increasing forest coverage by 70%, and promoting the use of renewable and clean energy. It has aligned its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAP) with the goals set by the Paris Agreement and works with local and international partners to implement its commitments and strengthen climate resilience.   

“Collaboration is essential for effective climate change mitigation and adaptation, especially to protect our communities. Today, we gather to highlight key sectoral issues and priorities, and feedback from our stakeholders. The feedback will help us achieve the targets we have set and serve as valuable input for negotiations at COP29. Through this process, we will also share our policy framework and define the priorities for Lao PDR that we aim to implement together.” said H.E. Mme Bounkham Vorachit, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Lao PDR.  

“COP29 is an opportunity for Lao PDR to showcase its progress in climate action, share its experience and learn from other countries’ initiatives and successes. It is also a chance to highlight the unique challenges that Lao PDR faces as a landlocked country, to advocate for the support that it needs to implement its ambitious NDC and to forge new partnerships that can drive sustainable development’’ added UNDP Resident Representative, Mrs. Martine Thérer.