Promote Sustainable Consumption and Production in ASEAN Region
Hybrid Workshop on Circular Economy in Lao PDR
Workshop participants in Luang Prabang
HSF
Within the framework of the ASEAN Regional Project on Sustainable Consumption and Production, Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) supported the Department of Planning under Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) to organise a hybrid workshop on circular economy from 23rd the 25th March 2022. The 3-day workshop aimed at raising awareness and building capacity among government leaders and officials in Lao PDR and encouraging circular economy practices especially as a tool to build back better in post-COVID recovery. More than 40 representatives from relevant line ministries in Lao PDR and experts attended the workshop at the offline setting in Luang Prabang, while international experts and circular economy practitioners joined the workshop via Zoom, analysing various aspects of the circular economy initiatives and strategies as well as their implementation in the ASEAN region and particularly in Lao PDR.
Mme. Phonevanh Outhavong, Vice Minister of Planning and Investment of Lao PDR chairs the workshop.
HSF
Chairing the workshop, Mme. Phonevanh Outhavong – Vice Minister of Planning and Investment of Lao PDR stated that the workshop would provide valuable inputs to the development of policies related to circular economy in this country, especially in the context of the implementation of Lao PDR’s 9th National Socio-economic Development Plan and their endeavours to fulfil commitments in the Paris Agreement of COP26. Furthermore, she also expressed her appreciation and expectation for continued technical and financial support from development actors like HSF for a transition to circular economy in Lao PDR in order to address challenges facing this country in the process of graduating from the least developed country status.
During the workshop, representatives from the MPI and research institutes of Lao PDR presented an overview of the implementation of the 9th National Socio-economic Development Plan, and an introduction into circular economy initiatives and application in Lao PDR. Meanwhile, international experts from Sweden, Germany and Vietnam were invited to the workshop to share profound knowledge of circular economy as well as experiences of developing policies for a circular economy.
Dr Magnus Bengtsson introduced circular economy initiatives in some ASEAN countries
HSF
In addition, green entrepreneurs from Lao PDR, Vietnam and Indonesia also brought to the workshop inspirational stories of how they turned their sustainable business ideas into action, opening a discussion on what Lao PDR could learn from other countries in ASEAN region about the application of circular business models in practice.