SWITCH-Asia

Vientiane, 25-26 November 2021 –  The Department of Planning and Finance, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Lao PDR, together with the EU SWITCH-Asia Regional Policy Advocacy (RPAC) implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and supported by the European Union Delegation to Lao PDR, organised a two-days consultation to identify national priorities on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) and opportunities for collaboration among policy makers, practitioners and civil society, ultimately strengthening Lao PDR’s work towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 and encouraging the uptake of responsible consumption and production practices across sectors.

Since 2016, Lao PDR localised the Global SDG Agenda and progress was reported under SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – in the areas of sustainable management and use of natural resources (SDG12.2) and the development of ecotourism. The need for the development of a National Policy Framework on SCP was identified as a key priority by the Government, as well as mainstreaming SCP into the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) of Lao PDR. As an outcome of the support the SWITCH-Asia Regional Policy Advocacy (RPAC) is providing to the country, a Scoping Study and the National SCP Roadmap for Lao PDR will be developed. 

Mr Sounadeth Soukchaleum, Deputy Director General, Department of Planning and Finance, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, welcomed participants and expressed his gratitude to the European Union and the EU SWITCH-Asia Programme. It is important and necessary to take further steps on SCP, starting from sharing available information and data between line ministries. The SCP Scoping Study will be valuable when building networks and joint cooperation on SCP implementation in Lao PDR, said Mr. Soundadeth Soukchaleum. 

Ms Cecile Leroy, Programme Manager of the European Union Delegation to Lao PDR highlighted further the importance of EU SWITCH-Asia efforts in the country: In Lao PDR, EU SWITCH-Asia provides policy guidance and specific support to develop the institutional framework and conducive regulation for a circular economic development. This Consultation is essential to capture the knowledge of the actors in their respective sectors as well as the existing opportunities and constraints. This is key to develop an ambitious but feasible plan and design appropriate supporting tools for SPC policy implementation.

During the Consultation, challenges and lessons learned from previous experiences in developing policy documents were also shared. Participants’ active interaction resulted in an agreement on the timeframe for the development of the National SCP Roadmap and the data collection process with line ministries. Priority sectors will also be defined through a consultative and participatory process. Holding these consultations is critical for building a shared  understanding between all stakeholders on the need to strengthen partnerships in order to mainstream SCP effectively. 

For more information contact:

Dr. Mushtaq Ahmed Memon

Regional Coordinator for Resource Efficiency

United Nations Environment Programme, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

Project Manager, SWITCH-Asia Regional Policy Advocacy Component

Email: [email protected]