WHEN: 22 October 2025 I TIME: 08:30 – 12:30 (GMT+7) I Register HERE

Background

Southeast Asia has committed to transition to the Circular Economy to support resilient economy, sustainable growth, and resource efficiency, through the regional 2021 ASEAN Circular Economy Framework[1]. This is complemented by national policy and action plans in most ASEAN Member States, including Lao PDR[2]. Leading businesses and other organisations in Lao PDR and elsewhere in the region have started to benefit from the adoption of Circular Economy practices in sectors as diverse as hospitality, building materials, agri-food, textiles and recycling and resource recovery.

The ASEAN Circular Economy Business Alliance (ACEBA)[3] has been launched in 2024 to further facilitate business leadership and action on Circular Economy in support of stated national and regional policy objectives. ACEBA engages businesses through advocacy, knowledge and experience sharing, provision of actionable tools and insights and networking. The Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCII) is taking the lead to introduce ACEBA to business and other stakeholders in Lao PDR.

This national workshop of ACEBA and LNCCI with support from the EU SWITCH Asia Policy Support Component (PSC)[4] will focus on the opportunities and benefits for Laotian businesses to contribute to the national and regional Circular Economy transition, whilst driving productivity, and market and product development of their business.

Circular Economy: A Responsible Business and Innovation Opportunity

Circular economy takes a system’s perspective on the use and disposal of materials and other natural resources in the economy and society, to bring both the net inflows and net outflows of natural resources as close as possible to zero[5]. For business, this involves taking responsibility to minimize the impacts on the environment of the use and disposal of materials, energy, water, and possibly other natural resources, in its products, services, and business operations, taking a life cycle perspective. This requires innovation in products, services and processes, towards circular value chains, that use materials and other natural resources in closed loops, efficiently and extendedly, whilst also capturing the benefits of renewable materials and energy.

Beyond the necessity to tackle the interrelated climate, nature and pollution crises, the circular economy provides a solid platform for businesses to perform well - through cost savings, new business opportunities, and improved resilience and preparedness – and do good – for the planet and people. The practical business value of Circular Economy is evident from select business cases in Lao PDR and elsewhere in the region[6].

Fostering Business Leadership and Action on Circular Economy

Circular Economy continues to have different interpretations among businesses, policy makers and other stakeholders, impeding concerted efforts towards its overarching ambition for sustainable extraction, use and disposal of materials and other natural resources. To counter this challenge and galvanize business leadership, ACEBA with extensive input from businesses and other stakeholders around ASEAN, developed a Framework for Business Action on Circular Economy in Southeast Asia[7].

The Framework offers five guiding principles for business and other organisations to drive an impactful Circular Economy transformation, in short:

1. PURPOSE: advancing net zero for climate, nature, and environment;
2. SCOPE: implementing resource circularity, resource efficiency, and resource substitution;
3. RATIONALE: assuming responsibility for the organization’s impacts on the environment and society;
4. MEANS: ideating and co-creating circular solutions; and
5. DEVELOPMENT CONTRIBUTION: creating net benefits for society and the economy.

These guiding principles articulate a magnetic north for businesses for consideration and adoption of Circular Economy.

Speakers

Dr. Xaybandith Rasphone, Vice-President, Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI)

Dr. Xaybandith Rasphone is a Lao Business Development Professional and current Member of the National Parliament for Champassak Province (2021–Present), who holds a Ph.D. in Information Cognitive from UQAM, Canada. As the Vice-President of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) and the President of the Association of the Lao Garment Industry, he is a key figure in the country's business landscape with expertise spanning ICT, trading, investment, and agricultural and forestry development. He has been actively involved in numerous businesses since 1996 and is multilingual, speaking English, French, Russian, Thai, and Lao.

Scott Nordquist, co-founder of Made New

Scott Nordquist is the co-founder of Made New, which transforms discarded plastic bags into handcrafted products using traditional Lao weaving techniques. An English language teacher since 2015, he pivoted to entrepreneurship in 2023 to tackle environmental challenges and economic disparities by linking his home country’s market with his host country’s artisanal skills.

Viengvilay Phimmasone, Co-Founder and Director of PatiHoub

Viengvilay Phimmasone is the Co-Founder and Director of PatiHoub, a social enterprise in Luang Prabang, Laos that transforms low-value plastic waste into durable products and community-based recycling solutions. With experience across tourism, hospitality, and environmental initiatives, she leads PatiHoub’s mission to reduce single-use plastics and create practical models for plastic circularity in local communities.

Benny Kong, Programme Director, Discovery Laos Today

A firm believer that Laos has much to offer in terms of Tourism in the world. Benny is the Programme Director and runs business development and strategic planning for Discovery Laos Today

Agenda (Draft)

[1]https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Framework-for-Circular-Economy-for-the-AEC_Final.pdf

[2] Circular Economy strategies for Lao PDR, 2017, https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/publications/undp-lecb-circular-economy-strategies-for-laos-pdr-20170911_0.pdf

[3] www.aceba.co

[4]https://www.switch-asia.eu/

[5] https://www.aceba.co/resource/circular-economy-an-introduction-and-overview/

[6] https://www.aceba.co/aceba/business-case/

[7] https://www.aceba.co/resource/framework-for-business-action-for-the-circular-economy-in-southeast-asia/