Protecting the environment and sustainable use of natural resources in Lao PDR is vital for poverty reduction and economic growth. Studies carried out by the UNDP supported project to develop the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan reveal that some 80 percent of the Gross National Product (GNP) directly derives from natural resources. Hydropower, agriculture, timber production and tourism depend to a very large extent on natural resources. Ninety percent of the poor in Lao PDR live in rural areas practicing agriculture and hence completely depend on natural resources for their survival.
At present, many Lao natural resources, including forests, rivers, and wetlands are under threat. This in-turn threatens economic growth, and makes the realization of poverty reduction targets increasingly difficult.
The Lao government has recognized this threat and lists sustainable use of natural resources as one of the three principles of socioeconomic development.The National Growth and Poverty Eradication Strategy (NGPES) strongly advocates bringing environmental concerns into government policy. UNDP is working towards providing strategic support to assist the Government of Lao PDR meet the target of the poverty reduction and MDG Goal 7 to Ensure Environmental Sustainability. At present, UNDP works in the following areas:
Frameworks and Strategies for Sustainable Development
Multilateral Environmental Agreements
Lao PDR is party to a number of international environmental agreements. Among the most important of these are the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) and Convention on Combating Desertification (CCD). (click here for a complete list)
As a party to these conventions, Lao PDR has several legal obligations to uphold under international commitment. UNDP is helping the government to implement these agreements and meet their obligations by strengthening the capacity of and enhancing the coordination between the ministries and departments concern. This will be done through raising awareness, strengthening the data and information management, and knowledge sharing as well as establishment of coordinating mechanism. The work is based on a capacity self-assesment and a comparative analysis linking and identifying the gaps between the obligations of the different conventions and the Lao national policies, strategies and action plans.
Support to the implementation of specific conventions is currently focused on climate change. UNDP Lao PDR has supported Science Technology and Environment Agency in conducting an assessment on vulnerability and adapatation and developing national action plan for the adaptation to the negative effects of the climate change. Future work will focus on the development of Second National Communication on Climate Change with key elements of greenhouse gas inventory, reporting on mitigation and adaptation measures.
On biodiversity UNDP Lao PDR is working towards providing support to the attainment of food security and to improving livelihoods of the rural people through mainstreaming agrobiodiversity conservation into development policy and planning of Lao PDR. The work will include capacity building, strengthening marketing of indigenious varieties of selected crops and knowledge management.
In addition UNDP is looking towards providing support on sustainable land management and climate change adaptation.
Mekong Cooperation
The Mekong is one of the largest river systems of the world. It contains invaluable biodiversity, including threatened species such as the Irrawaddy Dolphin, Siamese Crocodile, Sarus Crane and Giant Catfish. More importantly, over 55 million people in the region directly rely on the river for their livelihood.
The UNDP supported regional Mekong Basin Wetlands Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use Programme (MWBP) is working to improve the livelihoods of people living along the Mekong through promoting protection and sustainable use of this valuable resource. The UNDP-IUCN-MRC joint programme undertakes a combination of assessments, dialogues between regional governments and pilot projects to address a range of ecological, economic and social challenges to the region. |
Lao PDR
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