Representatives from the Korea Forest Service and Lao government cut a ribbon to open the Provincial Project Management Unit.

Laos, ROK strengthen climate links with opening of Phongsaly PPMU

Laos and the Republic of Korea are strengthening climate cooperation with the opening of the Provincial Project Management Unit (PPMU) in Phongsaly province.
The office will serve as the on-site base for a Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) project carried out by the Republic of Korea and Laos.
The inauguration ceremony was held at the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment in Phongsaly and brought together senior representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Phongsaly provincial authorities, and the Korea Forest Service.
The event highlights the strong partnership between the two countries in advancing climate action and sustainable forest management.
Building on the experience gained and lessons learned from the pilot REDD+ project in the Dong Hua Sao National Protected Area in Champasak province, Laos and Korea are expanding their cooperation to the sub-national level in Phongsaly province.

Representatives from the Korea Forest Service and the Lao government attend the opening ceremony of the Provincial Project Management Unit in Phongsaly province.

This was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in 2023, establishing a long-term framework for the implementation of the Sub-National REDD+ Project from 2023-2032.
The project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, enhance forest carbon stocks, and improve local livelihoods through sustainable land-use practices, implemented under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
Director of the Korea-Lao PDR REDD+ Cooperation Centre, Mr Sung-Gil Lee, gave a presentation highlighting the importance of the Provincial Project Management Unit and explaining its core functions as the main operational and coordination hub for sub-national REDD+ implementation, strengthening communication, supporting monitoring activities, and fostering trust and visibility among local stakeholders.
In addition, he encouraged continued close cooperation and mutual support among local partners, emphasising the importance of long-term partnership with the words: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”
During the ceremony, Director of the Korea Forest Service, Mr Cha Junhee, said the Provincial Project Management Unit represents more than a physical office, describing it as a strategic platform to translate climate commitments into concrete actions on the ground.
He reaffirmed the Republic of Korea’s commitment to sharing its experience in forest restoration and sustainable forest management.

Lao and Korean officials co-chair the PPMU’s inauguration ceremony.

Deputy Director General of Laos’ Department of Forestry, Mr Orlahanh Bouyaphalom, said the establishment of the Provincial Project Management Unit demonstrates the Government’s commitment to meeting international climate obligations while ensuring that REDD+ implementation delivers tangible environmental and socio-economic benefits for local communities.
The opening of the unit opens a new chapter in Laos-Korea cooperation and represents a concrete step towards achieving long-term climate mitigation, sustainable forest management, and inclusive development outcomes in northern Laos.
Phongsaly, the northernmost province of Laos, is characterised by a rugged mountainous landscape, with approximately 95 percent of its land area classified as mountainous terrain.
The province is one of the country’s most forested regions, with forest cover accounting for more than 64 percent of the total land area.
These forests play a critical role in biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, watershed protection, and the livelihoods of local communities.
However, recent assessments have shown a gradual decline in forest cover, driven largely by land-use change and the expansion of plantation areas, underscoring the need for strengthened and sustainable forest management interventions.

By Advertorial Desk
(Latest Update January 16, 2026)