Vientiane Capital, 08 September 2026 - The Government of Lao PDR, together with the United Nations, development partners, civil society, academia, and private sector representatives, today concluded the Final National Stakeholder Meeting on Lao PDR's revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), marking a major milestone in the country's efforts to address climate change and build a resilient, low-emission future.​‌

The meeting provided the final platform for stakeholders to review and take the next step towards the endorsement of Lao PDR's NDC 3.0, which outlines the country's climate commitments for the period 2026-2035 under the Paris Agreement. The updated NDC reflects increased ambition on both climate mitigation and adaptation, while providing a clearer roadmap for implementation, financing, monitoring and accountability.​‌

Opening the event, H.E. Mme. Chanthakhone Boualaphan, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Environment, highlighted that NDC 3.0 is more than a climate commitment. It serves as a strategic roadmap to guide Lao PDR toward a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future while supporting long-term national development priorities. 

The revised NDC 3.0 reflects both Lao PDR's national development priorities and evolving global climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. Climate projections indicate a 75 percent probability that average global warming over the next five years will exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Countries around the world are therefore being called upon to strengthen their climate commitments and accelerate implementation of the outcomes of the Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement. Lao PDR's NDC 3.0 contributes to this collective effort by outlining enhanced measures to reduce emissions, strengthen resilience and mobilize climate finance.

Since 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has led the development of NDC 3.0 through a highly participatory process involving government institutions, development partners, academia, civil society organizations and the private sector. Supported by the United Nations Country Team, with UNDP as the technical lead, the process has combined advanced modeling, sectoral analysis and extensive consultations to ensure that the revised NDC is evidence-based, nationally owned and aligned with international best practices.​‌

NDC 3.0 represents a significant step forward from previous commitments. For the first time, Lao PDR adopts a broader, economy-wide approach, covering traditional sectors such as energy, agriculture, forestry, transport and waste, while also integrating cross-cutting priorities including disaster risk reduction, health, education, gender equality, youth engagement, nature-based solutions and just transition. The revised NDC includes 25 mitigation measures, 18 adaptation measures and 22 enabling measures aimed at strengthening resilience while supporting sustainable economic growth.​‌

The revised NDC is fully aligned with national development priorities, including the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan, National Adaptation Plan, National Climate Change Strategy and Lao PDR's long-term low-emission development pathway. It also serves as an important foundation for the country's future NDC Implementation Plan and Investment Plan.​‌

However, ambition alone will not be enough. Successful implementation of NDC 3.0 is estimated to require approximately USD 25.6 billion through 2035, underscoring the importance of continued national leadership, international support, and innovative financing solutions. Discussions therefore focused not only on targets, but also on mobilizing the partnerships, investments and institutional arrangements required to deliver results on the ground.​‌

UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Ayshanie Labe reaffirmed UNDP's commitment to supporting the Government of Lao PDR in translating climate commitments into action including through the timely finalization and submission of NDC 3.0. As COP31 shifts the global focus from commitments to implementation, submitting NDC 3.0 before COP31 will demonstrate the Government's readiness to turn climate ambition into action and strengthen Lao PDR's position in global discussions on climate finance, energy transition, and sustainable development

Following endorsement, Lao PDR will move forward with the finalization and submission of NDC 3.0 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), marking the beginning of a new phase focused on implementation. UNDP stands ready to continue supporting the Government of Lao PDR in translating climate ambition into action by strengthening climate resilience, mobilizing finance, fostering partnerships, and supporting the delivery of the country's commitments under the Paris Agreement.