Vientiane Capital – Lao PDR officially launched the ASEAN–Korea Cooperation for Methane Mitigation (AKCMM) project through a partnership between the Department of Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MoAE), and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and advance climate action in Lao PDR. This launch marks Lao PDR’s entry into a regional ASEAN initiative to implement methane mitigation activities across nine ASEAN Member States, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand, Viet Nam, and Lao PDR.

Of the total funding, approximately USD 2.7 million has been allocated to Lao PDR to support national efforts to reduce methane emissions and promote environmental sustainability.  The project has been implemented at the regional level since 2024 and is expected to run until 2027. Its overall objective is to reduce methane emissions through four key outcomes: strengthening enabling policies and institutional frameworks, improving methane measurement and monitoring systems, designing and financing methane reduction projects, and promoting regional knowledge sharing and partnerships. In Lao PDR, the project will focus on major methane-emitting sectors, including agriculture, waste, and energy. 

At this early stage, the project is establishing coordination mechanisms to ensure effective implementation. This includes defining the roles of the Project Steering Committee (PSC), Project Management Unit (PMU), and Technical Advisory Group, which will guide project oversight and sector prioritization. Following the establishment of these structures, the project will proceed with technology selection, pre-feasibility studies, and the implementation of pilot mitigation initiatives once the foundational framework for methane mitigation in Lao PDR is in place.  With the official launch of the project, the next steps will include formalizing the PSC, PMU, and Advisory Group, endorsing the project workplan, and initiating technical assessments and capacity-building activities. These efforts will support Lao PDR in accelerating methane reduction and contributing to sustainable, low-carbon development.