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New partnership signed for Sustainable Consumption and Production project in Lao PDR

Laos
Green cities
14.06.2024
Vientiane, June 14, 2024 – This afternoon, the Lao Ministry for Natural Resources and Environment and the Swisscontact organisation signed a Memorandum of Understanding, marking the official start of a new cooperation co-funded by the European Union and Switzerland for 2,499,580 (Two million four hundred ninety-nine thousand and five hundred eighty) EURO. The purpose of the new project “Sustainable Consumption and Production in the Lao PDR (SCP Lao)” is to significantly support the Lao PDR’s green endeavor while creating employment opportunities for the communities through awareness raising, enhancing the role of youth and women's organizations in environmental policies, and improving waste management solutions to generate green jobs.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on funding for the project was signed between the Deputy Director General of the Planning and Finance Department Planning, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr. Sounadeth Soukchaleun, and the Swisscontact Country Director for the Lao PDR, Mr. Michael Fink.

Mr. Michael Fink (left) and Mr. Sounadeth Soukchaleun shake hands after signing an MOU on funding for a green growth project.

The launching ceremony was attended by H.E Mr. Phouvong Luangxaysana, Vice Minister for Natural Resources and Environment, H.E Mrs Ina Marciulionyte, Ambassador of the European Union to the Lao PDR and Mr Jean-Gabriel Duss, Regional Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office for the Mekong Region. And the representative of districts and provincial of Vientiane Capital and Luang Prabang province.

By focusing on youth, women, local authorities, and civil society associations, and supporting concrete activities at local level, the project is expected to reinforce green and inclusive economic growth in the Lao PDR. The programme endeavours to promote sustainable consumption and production, foster environmental stewardship, and create green jobs, specifically among youth and women.

H.E Mr. Phouvong Luangxaysana, the Vice Minister for Natural Resources and Environment

In its welcoming remarks, H.E Mr. Phouvong Luangxaysana, the Vice Minister for Natural Resources and Environment said:

"Sustainable Consumption and Production are essential components of our efforts to ensure the long-term well-being of our people and the protection of our environment. This project holds great promise in advancing our sustainable development goals and addressing the challenges we face in promoting responsible consumption and production practices ensuring the implementation of our SCP Roadmap of the Lao PDR from 2022-2025 and it’s vision to 2030."
Mrs. Ina Marciulionyte, Ambassador of the European Union

Thereafter, Mrs. Ina Marciulionyte, Ambassador of the European Union emphasised:

"This project is another tangible output of the Team Europe cooperation with the Lao PDR, underlining the growing importance of the existing partnership. The launch today also illustrates our joint action to advocate for widespread awareness on the health risk of plastics, rapidly phase out all single use plastics, urgently push for a strong UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution and demand an end to fast fashion."
Mr. Jean-Gabriel Duss, Regional Director of the Swiss Development Cooperation for the Mekong Region

Mr. Jean-Gabriel Duss, Regional Director of the Swiss Development Cooperation for the Mekong Region mentioned:

"The SCP Lao project aligns perfectly with the sustainable development goals and improving societal benefits. With a key focus on environmental advocacy, capacity building, awareness campaigns, income generation, and waste management, the SCP Laos project is a progressive step towards a sustainable future for Lao PDR."
Mr. Michael Fink, Country Director of Swisscontact Lao PDR

Prior to a brief SCP Lao project introduction, Mr. Michael Fink, Country Director of Swisscontact Lao PDR added:

"The adoption of sustainable consumption and production practices, including pollution reduction, efficient resource use, and improved recycling through awareness raising, policy dialogue, and income generation; is key in Laos to combat climate change and improve circularity. The SCP Lao project will generate environmental and economic benefits through sustainable consumption and production for now and future generations."
2024 - 2027
Laos
Green cities
Sustainable Consumption and Production in Lao PDR (SCP Lao)
The goal of the project is to enable environmental Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), particularly those focusing on youth and women, to contribute to green and inclusive economic growth in the Lao PDR. This will be achieved by strengthening their capacities in three main areas: policy dialogue, awareness raising, and income generation.
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