Vientiane, 13 October 2025 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Lao PDR, with financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), are joining efforts to protect primary forest landscapes.  The new project, titled “Generating Multiple Benefits Through Strengthened Protection of the Primary Forest Landscapes in Lao PDR (Indo-Malay Project)”, and signed on 13 October at the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in Vientiane, Lao PDR, marks a significant step toward safeguarding the country’s most biodiverse, and culturally significant landscapes.

The signing ceremony, which follows an initial launch in April 2025, was attended by H.E. Kikeo Singnavong, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment, senior representatives from key ministries, UNDP, and development partners.

With an investment of nearly USD 9 million from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), it aims to protect approximately 513,400 hectares of primary forest landscapes across four national protected areas, promote nature-positive development, reduce ecosystem degradation, and generate multiple benefits contributing to biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods.

Lao PDR’s forests are central to the country’s economy, culture, and climate resilience. Covering over half of the land area, with primary forests making up nearly a third of national protected areas, these landscapes host globally significant biodiversity, including endangered flora and fauna. For rural communities, forests provide food, clean water, fuel, and income through more than 700 species of non-timber forest products, which account for nearly 40 percent of household earnings. 

In her opening remarks, Ms. Martine Thérer, UNDP Resident Representative in Lao PDR, emphasized that the protection of primary forests is not only an environmental imperative but also a cornerstone of sustainable development and poverty reduction in a country where over 70% of the population depends on natural resources. She highlighted the project’s innovative approach, including the establishment of a biodiversity financing scheme aligned with the recently launched Climate and Sustainable Finance Hub under the Ministry of Finance, to help secure sustainable funding for the conservation of Lao PDR’s primary forest landscapes.

Ms. Thérer also noted that the project aligns with key national strategies and frameworks, such as the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, the Nationally Determined Contribution 3.0, and the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan 2026-2030, reinforcing Lao PDR’s commitment to integrated and inclusive development.

The project went through a comprehensive preparatory phase during which UNDP worked closely with the Government, partners, and stakeholders to lay a solid foundation for its execution.