Dr Linkham Douangsavanh addresses the forum. --Photo Ministry of Agriculture and Environment

Laos calls for more funding to drive environmental action

Mobilising more green finance and private sector investment will be crucial if Laos is to meet its environmental commitments while sustaining economic growth, participants at the National Environment Forum 2026 heard on June 11.
The message was delivered when senior government officials, development partners, businesses, civil society organisations, academics and youth representatives gathered in Vientiane to discuss solutions to the country’s growing environmental challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
The forum, held under the theme “Sustainable Pathways for the Lao PDR: Driving Economic Growth, Environmental Sustainability”, was organised by the government in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and focused on the financing, policies and partnerships needed to support a greener and more resilient future, according to a press release from the forum.
Opening the forum, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Dr Linkham Douangsavanh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advance key environmental priorities, including Laos’ Nationally Determined Contributions, National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, National Plastic Action Plan, Carbon Credit Decree, and National Adaptation Plan.
He said achieving a green, net-zero and sustainable development pathway will require coordinated action across all sectors of society, supported by innovation, stronger partnerships and practical solutions.
The UNDP Resident Representative to Laos, Ms Martine Thérer, stressed that finance remains a critical factor in translating environmental commitments into tangible results.
“Achieving the Lao PDR’s ambitions demands investment at a scale that public resources alone cannot meet,” she was quoted as saying.
“Green finance is not simply about mobilising new resources, it is about ensuring that all financial flows, both public and private, advance climate and environmental outcomes.”
Ms Thérer highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen Laos’ sustainable finance framework, including the establishment of the Climate and Sustainable Finance Hub within the Ministry of Finance, the development of investment-ready project pipelines, and reforms such as the Carbon Finance Decree and a national green taxonomy framework.
 The forum also featured a discussion on financing green growth and climate transition, which involved representatives of the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment and Finance, the Investment Promotion and Management Committee, and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI).
 Parallel sessions explored biodiversity conservation, pollution management and climate action, with contributions from local communities, civil society organisations, private sector representatives and young people.
The event took place as Laos advances the implementation of its National Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2026-2030, which places green growth at the centre of the government’s development strategy while supporting commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
According to a UNDP statement, the forum highlighted the importance of aligning public and private financing with national environmental priorities to help Laos achieve its environmental goals, strengthen climate resilience, and promote sustainable economic growth.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update June 15, 2026)