Photo of launch of the project.

Empowering Sustainable Journeys from Farm to Cup: Official Launch of the Green CUP Project

Bokeo, December 5, 2024 - the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the European Union and France officially launched the “Enhanced Green Economy through a Quality, Climate-resilient and Inclusive Value Chain Project - Green CUP”. The launch was attended by Guests of Honour, Dr Chanthakhone Boualaphanh, vice-Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Mrs Siv-Leng Chhuor, French Ambassador, Mr Mark Gallagher, Ambassador of the European Union to the Lao PDR, and Mr Thongchanh Manixay, Governor of Bokeo province.
This event marks a significant advancement supported by the French government and the European Union in the Lao coffee and tea sector. Set to run until 2028, the Green CUP project will promote a green economy by fostering quality development within these sectors. The project will adopt agro-ecological and community-based approaches, with an emphasis on climate resilience and inclusive value chains, while integrating gender and human rights perspectives. Ultimately, over 25,000 producers and stakeholders are expected to benefit from this transformative initiative.

Photo of field visit.

The vice-Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Dr Chanthakhone Boualaphanh, reminded that “the tea and coffee sector represents the country’s fourth-largest source of exports and underscored the long-standing partnership of the Lao PDR and France in these sectors initiated two decades ago and set to be further strengthened through the Team Europe project.””.
The French Ambassador Ms Siv-Leng Chhuor highlighted that “French cooperation is working alongside the Lao PDR in a sustainable and continuous manner. The Green CUP project will support the ambitious goal of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to develop a quality tea value chain and to increase the coffee export to 207,000 tons by 2030. Under the spirit of “Team Europe Partnership with the Lao PDR”, France is proud to be a part of this initiative, which builds on 20 years of successful cooperation between France and Laos in agriculture.”
Mr Mark Gallagher, Ambassador of the European Union to Lao PDR, remarked, “Lao coffee is gaining recognition, not only among domestic consumers but also on regional and global stages. I am proud that the European Union, in partnership with AFD, is committed to further supporting Laos in enhancing the sustainability and quality of its coffee value chains. Through the Green Cup initiative, we aim to elevate the international reputation of Lao coffee and celebrate its unique qualities.”
During the event, honourable guests watered coffee and tea trees to launch the project. Over 60 attendees, including representatives from various ministries, provincial offices, project partners, coffee producers, and stakeholders participated both in person and online.
The French Ambassador and the delegation also visited the tea plantation and the tea processing facility of the Meung tea cooperative with the Governor of the Meung district, as part of the Green CUP project. The delegation witnessed firsthand the positive impacts of the project, which is empowering small tea producers to evolve into key economic contributors. The cooperative includes 210 tea growers across 134 hectares, producing approximately 5 tons of organic and Fair-Trade-certified tea each year. This production generates nearly 50,000 USD in additional income for the cooperative’s member producers.
About Green Cup Project:
The project, one of two flagship projects under the umbrella of “Global Gateway Team Europe Partnership with Lao PDR to increase sustainable and inclusive Trade, Investment and Connectivity in the Agriculture and Forestry sectors – TICAF programme” launched on March 14, 2024. Green CUP seeks to bolster trade and investment in the green economy for coffee and tea sectors through agro-ecological community-based action, climate-resilient and inclusive value chains, and access to sustainable and high-value markets, notably European market.

ByAdvertorial Desk
 (Latest Update December 25, 2024)