February 17, 2025
VIENTIANE – The event was hosted by the British Ambassador to Laos, Mel Barlow.
According to a press release by the British Embassy in Vientiane, the embassy has set out ambitious plans for supporting Laos across climate finance and technology, promoting equity in energy transition, climate adaptation and resilience, sustainable finance and urban planning and green transport.
The embassy explained how future work will be guided by the Green Economy Framework MOU between the UK and Laos, signed by UK Foreign Minister David Lammy and Laos’ Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith on July 26, 2024.
The opportunities of the green transition were highlighted at the event, and the UK’s new Industrial Strategy has identified clean energy as a key growth-driving sector.
The event was attended by Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Mrs Bounkham Vorachit, along with more than 100 participants engaging in collaboration and networking.
As well as expert UK visitors, the event brought together key local partners from the Lao government, local businesses and UK private sector expertise, and the international development and diplomatic community.
The gathering was one of a series of events to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and the UK.
The UK has supported Laos across climate finance and technology through the Green Climate Fund (GCF), pledging US$2 billion in 2034, for 2024-2027, according to the UK Embassy.
The UK has many projects underway and planned from 2024-2027, with most of the UK funded projects being trust funds while some are bilateral.
Under each project agreement, the UK is supporting the UK-ASEAN Green Transition Fund with up to 40 million Euro from 2024-2029.
To support the UK ASEAN Green Finance Facilities initiative, the UK pledged 110 million Euro to set up the UK-ACGF Trust Fund.
In support of the Biodiversity Landscapes Fund, the UK is providing up to 17 million Euro between 2023-2030 for projects in Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia and many other schemes.
The UK has also pledged 95 million Euro in funding for Biodiversity Landscapes Funds as mentioned above and Climate Compatible Growth, which will run until 2030.
In addition, under another programme to flag the Forest Carbon Partnership, Laos will receive US$42 million of which the UK provided US$8.8 million, making the UK the largest donor to this fund.