Senior officials from several ministries and UN-Habitat, including Dr Justice Musah, a member of the Adaptation Fund Secretariat, gather for a photo while visiting development projects that reflect effective collaboration.

Laos strengthens climate resilience with backing from Adaptation Fund

A high-level mission from the Adaptation Fund concluded a week-long visit to Laos on March 28, showcasing the country’s growing role as a leader in community-based climate-resilient development.
The visit, held from March 24–28, focused on two Adaptation Fund-financed projects in Attapeu and Savannakhet provinces, which are delivering tangible results in improving local climate resilience and sustainable development, according to a press release from the Adaptation Fund and UN-Habitat.
Organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and UN-Habitat, the mission toured multiple project sites addressing climate risk assessments, water supply systems, and urban planning. These initiatives are already yielding measurable benefits in some of Laos’ most vulnerable districts.

The Adaptation Fund delegation met with senior officials from several ministries, including the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Public Works and Transport, and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

In Attapeu province, rural communities have gained better access to clean water, significantly reducing the burden on women and children who once spent hours collecting it. Meanwhile, in Savannakhet province, expanding water infrastructure and integrating climate-resilient urban planning are bringing safe water to underserved areas.
Deputy Director of the Department of Public Works and Transport in Savannakhet, Mr Sombandith Sihalath, said, “Thanks to this project, two of the four districts in our province that lacked safe water will have full access by 2026. This is the result of collaborative efforts between national and provincial authorities, communities, and our development partners.”
During the mission, the Adaptation Fund delegation held high-level consultations with senior officials from several ministries, including the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Public Works and Transport, and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. These discussions focused on strengthening institutional frameworks, building national capacity, and integrating climate resilience into long-term development strategies.
Deputy Director General of the Department of Climate Change, Mr Amphayvanh Oudomdeth, highlighted the role of local leadership: “We are proud that these projects place genuine trust in local governments and communities to take the lead. That ownership is exactly what makes implementation both effective and sustainable.”
One of the key features of the projects is their inclusive design, integrating gender-responsive planning and risk-informed planning. UN-Habitat, a key implementing partner, emphasised that embedding risk assessments throughout the infrastructure cycle ensures resilience is both built and sustained.
Regional Advisor for Southeast Asia and Head of UN-Habitat in Laos, Dr Avi Sarkar, said “This allows us to adapt in real-time, ensuring that resilience is not only built, but sustained,”
The Adaptation Fund team commended the close partnership between the Lao government and UN-Habitat. Dr Justice Musah of the Adaptation Fund Secretariat remarked, “The Lao initiatives could be a centre of excellence where executing entities from other countries could visit and learn, showcasing a powerful combination of community engagement, government leadership, and innovation.”
One mission member highlighted the impressive economic returns from these projects, stating that each dollar invested has the potential to generate up to a tenfold return in terms of social, economic, and environmental impacts. This efficiency underscores the importance of well-targeted adaptation investments. As the mission concluded, all parties committed to maintaining momentum and institutionalising project outcomes through national policy, urban masterplans, and continued local capacity building.
With strong community leadership and strategic partnerships, Laos is emerging as a model for resilient, inclusive development, demonstrating the impact of locally led, globally supported action.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update April 9, 2025)