Lao PDR Strengthens Climate Governance with Inaugural Project Steering Committee Meeting for ASEAN-Korea Methane Mitigation Project

Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR, May 25, 2026 – The ASEAN-Korea Cooperation for Methane Mitigation Project (AKCMM) has taken a major step toward operationalizing the Lao national methane reduction goals. Led by the Department of Environment (DoE) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), in partnership with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), the 1st Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting was held in Vientiane Capital, marking the formal transition from project planning to high-level technical execution.

The project is a three-year regional program (2024–2027) supported by the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKFC), with USD 2.7 million specifically allocated to support Lao PDR’s national efforts in the agriculture, waste, and energy sectors.   

Following the project’s official approval by the Ministry of Finance in February 2026 and a successful kick-off in March, this meeting served to formally appoint and operationalize the PSC as the primary decision-making and advisory body for the initiative in Lao PDR. The appointed government agencies include the Department of Environment as Chairperson, the Vientiane City Office for Management and Services (VCOMS), the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and the National Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Development Research Institute (NAFRI) as the PSC members. These line departments will take the lead in providing guidance, technical input, and coordinating with relevant stakeholders for project implementation in close collaboration with GGGI. 

A comprehensive work plan and budget for 2026 were presented and agreed upon during the workshop, including the initial agreement on shortlisting methane reduction projects for upcoming feasibility studies and piloting.  

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Immala Inthaboualy, Deputy Director General of the Department of Environment, of  MAE, and co-chaired by Ms. Dagmar Zweber, the Country Representative of GGGI Lao PDR, alongside key representatives from line ministries and development partners.   

With the PSC now officially active, the project will proceed with technical assessments and pilot mitigation initiatives designed to accelerate Lao PDR’s transition toward a low-carbon, sustainable economy.