The World Bank and the EU SWITCH-Asia SCP Facility led by the Delegation of the European Union to Lao PDR are engaged in a partnership to support the Government of Lao PDR through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) in the formulation of policies on plastic and waste reduction. A joint online mission was conducted on 27-28 January 2022 to discuss the cooperation with MoNRE on the development of a National Plastics Action Plan (NPAP).
At the Joint high-level meeting on 28 January, H.E. Phouvong Luangxaysana, Vice Minister of the MoNRE Lao PDR, expressed the Ministry’s firm commitment in developing the National Plastics Action Plan in cooperation with the EU SWITCH-Asia SCP Facility and the World Bank.
H.E. Ina Marciulionyte, Ambassador of the European Union to Lao PDR, highlighted the EU’s commitment at home and with its partner countries to a green inclusive economy. She stressed that the EU is committed to support the Government of Lao PDR, through the EU SWITCH-Asia Programme and the EU Delegation to Lao PDR, on implementing the country’s green national agenda, including the development of the National Plastics Action Plan.
Through the EU SWITCH-Asia SCP Facility, specific support has been provided to MoNRE, to address the plastic pollution issue, and a comprehensive Policy options report on Single-Use Plastics Reduction was published recently, paving the way for the development of a National Plastic Action Plan. As the EU is strongly supporting the ongoing global efforts to prepare for a Global Agreement on Plastics (GAP) in the 5th UN Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2), the development of this National Plastics Action Plan is timely as this initiative can potentially support the country to actively engage in the process towards UNEA.
Mrs Viengsamay Srithirath, World Bank Lao PDR Operations Manager, reiterated the World Bank’s support to the initiative on delivering the NPAP and welcomed the continuous cooperation of all partners on achieving the request of support from the government on improving the country’s policy on environment and waste management.
The EU SWITCH-Asia SCP Facility will provide advisory services as contribution to the partnership initiative in building MONRE’s capacity in preparing the National Plastics Action Plan in Lao PDR and ensuring multi-stakeholder engagement in the policy consultation process.
