Lao and Korean officials join invited guests for a group photo at the seminar in Vientiane last week.

Laos, S. Korea wrap up final report on wastewater project in Vientiane

The 2024/25 Knowledge Sharing Programme (KSP) on the “Feasibility Study for the Development of a Wastewater Treatment System in Vientiane” successfully concluded with a Final Report Seminar held on August 19 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Vientiane.
The seminar was co-chaired by KSP Senior Adviser, Kim Hwadong; Deputy Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ngampasong Muongmany; and Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Laos, Mr Jung Yung Soo.
The event was attended by senior representatives from KOTRA HQ, KOTRA Vientiane, KOICA, EDCF, GGGI, and officials from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Vientiane Department of Public Works and Transport, and the State Enterprise of Water Supply.
The KSP, funded by Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, is an ODA-based policy consultation programme designed to share expertise, build capacity, and create roadmaps for sustainable development in partner countries. This project in Laos focused on addressing the urgent need for wastewater treatment facilities in Vientiane.

Officials co-chair the meeting.

With more than 90 percent of domestic wastewater discharged untreated, and frequent flooding affecting over 26,000 residents in 2024, the city faces mounting environmental and public health challenges.
The feasibility study, carried out by Hannam University, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, and QIV Corp., began in January 2025.
It proposed solutions covering treatment plant design, budgeting, network expansion, legal reforms, institutional restructuring, and sustainable operation models.
The roadmap emphasised integrated flood control, financing through ODA and PPP mechanisms, and the establishment of a dedicated Sewerage Act to ensure long-term governance.
The financing plan combines ODA, PPP investments, and climate funds, with an estimated cost of US$150 million.
Flood control measures such as detention basins and pumping stations are expected to reduce peak flood risks by half. Capacity-building programmes will train local engineers and technicians, while new legislation will help strengthen governance and accountability.
Expected outcomes include cleaner rivers and groundwater, reduced incidence of waterborne diseases, enhanced flood resilience, greener public spaces, and stronger institutional capacity. The project is also anticipated to improve investor confidence and support Laos’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
In his opening remarks, Kim Hwadong said wastewater management is “a key infrastructure for economic growth and flood prevention”.
He stressed that efficient wastewater systems not only protect public health but also create safer urban environments and attract investment. Drawing on Korea’s experience, he emphasised that long-term investment in sewerage and drainage systems is essential to support both industrial growth and living standards.
Mr Ngampasong Muongmany expressed gratitude to the Korean government, noting that the study results will serve as a solid foundation for improving urban sanitation, reducing pollution, and enhancing the quality of life in Vientiane.
Mr Jung Yung Soo highlighted the significance of the project within the broader Laos-Korea partnership, which was recently elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, marking 30 years since the re-establishment of diplomatic ties.
He recalled that Korea has supported more than 10 major infrastructure projects with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, including KOICA’s US$6 million grant to improve the water supply in Bolikhamxay province.
A representative from the Vientiane Department of Public Works and Transport stressed that rapid urban growth has outpaced sewage infrastructure, leading to urgent environmental issues. The project, he said, provides practical and timely solutions.
Director General of KOTRA Vientiane, Mr Park Jungwe, called for stronger cooperation among all stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation, while reaffirming KOTRA’s commitment to mobilising Korean funding for follow-up projects.
The seminar concluded with participants reaffirming that wastewater management is vital to Vientiane’s sustainable urban development.
The final report is expected to serve as a practical reference for the Lao government in mobilising resources, strengthening institutional frameworks, and advancing environmental governance. Both sides expressed confidence that the study outcomes will not only support cleaner and more resilient cities in Laos but also deepen bilateral cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Laos and Korea.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update August 25, 2025)