A member of the Global Green Growth Institute last week hands over the Pakxe Green City Action Plan to a Lao government official.

Global Green Growth Institute launches first green city plan in Pakxe

The Lao government in Pakxe, in partnership with the Global Green Growth Institute Lao PDR (GGGI Lao PDR), has successfully launched the inaugural Green City Action Plan.
The Green City Action Plan aims at transforming cities in Laos into liveable, low carbon, and climate-resilient urban centres, offering sustainable and inclusive urban services to all residents while fostering socio-economic development.
The first Green City Action Plan focuses on the development of Pakxe, in Champassak province, as a model city to translate the vision into tangible actions.
To achieve this, Pakxe has established high-level strategic objectives, including improving the quality of life for its citizens through sustainable, inclusive, and efficient urban services, such as solid waste management, wastewater management, and urban mobility.
Furthermore, the plan aims to enhance urban resilience to natural and climatic risks and increase access to public green spaces, with the ultimate goal of transforming Pakxe into a liveable, green, clean and sustainable city by 2030.
Last week, the government of Champassak province held a dissemination workshop in Pakxe to officially launch the very first Green City Action Plan.
The workshop facilitated interactive discussions on the fruitful collaboration and successful development of the plan, as well as highlighting the need for prompt implementation as a top priority for Pakxe city and Champassak province.
The launch marks an important milestone in the city’s journey towards sustainable development, and paves the way for future cities to follow suit.
While the Green City Action Plan for Pakxe is completed and being transformed into implementation, GGGI remains committed to developing a similar plan for Vientiane.
Both plans are part of the larger Wastewater and Solid Waste Treatment Capacity Building Project for City Environment Improvement in Laos. 
The successful development of these plans has been made possible through a financial contribution of US$2.6 million from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), highlighting international support for sustainable urban development in Laos.
By launching the Green City Action Plan in Laos, the government and GGGI are taking significant steps to create sustainable and resilient cities that prioritise the well-being of their residents while fostering socio-economic growth. These plans not only address immediate challenges but also unlock green finance for the development of sustainable cities through priority actions and projects outlined in the plan, and pave the way for a greener and more prosperous future for Laos.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update July 13, 2023)