As part of the International Framework for Court Excellence (IFCE) introduced to the People's Supreme Court (PSC) of Lao PDR in 2022, the Judicial Integrity Network in ASEAN has supported PSC in training and self-assessment initiatives to enhance judicial integrity. These efforts led to an improvement plan focusing on Court User Engagement and subsequent training on environmental justice.

Before the environmental justice training, the People's Supreme Court conducted a needs assessment, revealing a lack of scientific knowledge, technical assistance and the need for specialized training on environmental laws. Additionally, cross-border cooperation, networking opportunities and joint learning on environmental issues were considered a priority for the members of the judiciary. 

On June 4-5, 2024, UNDP in collaboration with the People's Supreme Court hosted the workshop in Vientiane, attended by 35 judges and court officers, supported by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and the U.S. Department of State. Participants engaged with Lao PDR and Thailand fellow judges and academics, gaining valuable insights into environmental and justice legal frameworks. 

The training aimed to build and strengthen PSC's environmental justice capacity and equip participants with an understanding of what environmental justice means and how courts could uphold it. Furthermore, the event allowed judges to learn from environmental justice experts about best practices and potential solutions to issues in the local context.