Photograph of a person atop a massive garbage dump, hills in distance and blue sky.

National Plastic Action Partnership in Lao PDR

Development Challenge

Plastic pollution in Lao PDR is a growing environmental, economic, and public health issue, driven by increasing consumption, rapid urbanization, and limited waste management capacity. Plastic accounts for a significant share of total waste, contributing to pollution in urban areas, waterways, and natural ecosystems.

The challenge is systemic, reflecting gaps across the plastic value chain including unsustainable production and consumption patterns, limited policy enforcement, insufficient data and evidence for decision-making, and fragmented stakeholder coordination. Existing efforts lack an integrated, multi-sector approach and a clear, actionable roadmap with defined targets and financing mechanisms.

Project Background

The National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) supports Lao PDR to address plastic pollution through a multi-stakeholder platform, bringing together government, private sector, and development partners to drive coordinated action toward a circular plastic economy.

The project focuses on three strategic interventions: (i) establishing governance structures and stakeholder coordination mechanisms aligned with government priorities; (ii) generating evidence and supporting the development of a national plastic action roadmap; and (iii) strengthening partnerships and collaboration to accelerate implementation of solutions across the plastic value chain. 

Expected Results

  1. Operational national platform for plastic action: NPAP governance structure and secretariat established to coordinate stakeholders and drive implementation. 
  2. Evidence-based national roadmap developed: A national plastic action roadmap with clear targets, policy recommendations, and financing pathways to guide action. 
  3. Strengthened policy and data systems: Improved data collection, analysis, and evidence generation to inform decision-making and policy development. 
  4. Enhanced stakeholder coordination and partnerships: Increased collaboration across government, private sector, and civil society to implement solutions and scale impact.

 

Key Achievement

  1. Steering Board establishment advanced to ministerial level: Steering Board Terms of Reference finalized through consultation and formally submitted to the Minister of MoAE, marking completion of the design and submission phase and positioning NPAP for formal institutionalization.
  2. National Plastic Action Roadmap completed and ready endorsement by the Steering Board: Bilingual (English and Lao) roadmap finalized, providing a central, evidence-based framework to guide national policy dialogue and stakeholder engagement on plastic reduction.
  3. Core evidence base for policy development strengthened: Three major analytical outputs completed and validated, including the Plastic Value Chain (PVC) systematic survey in Luang Prabang, Single-Use Plastic (SUP) ban feasibility study in Vientiane, and supporting GPIP-II baseline assessment on the use and waste generation of plastic in the tourism sector, enabling targeted and informed policy decisions.
  4. EPR policy development initiated: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy review and gap analysis progressed through inception and field data collection, laying the foundation for regulatory reform. 
  5. GESI integration mainstreamed into plastic policy agenda: Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) report finalized and validated, with findings integrated into the national roadmap to ensure inclusive, gender-responsive, and equitable plastic management solutions.
  6. Multi-stakeholder coordination and validation strengthened: National validation workshops conducted in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, bringing together government, private sector, and development partners to align on priorities and refine policy recommendations.
  7. Communications and behavior change initiatives initiated: NPAP communication campaign under development, including targeted messaging and partnerships to drive behavioral change and private sector commitments on plastic reduction.
  8. Operational and financial implementation on track: Project delivery reached over 70% execution, with strong budget utilization and completion of key operational milestones, including improved coordination capacity with the Department of Environment. 

 

Project Details

  • Status: Ongoing
  • Duration: November 2024 – March 2026 (current phase, including no-cost extension)
  • Geographic coverage: National (Lao PDR, with activities in key provinces such as Vientiane Capital, Luang Prabang, Champasak)
  • Project Office: Department of Environment (DOE), Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) 
  • Focus Area: Plastic, Circular Economy 
  • Implementing Partners: UNDP (Direct Implementing) 
  • Total project budget: 205,070USD 
  • Donors: World Economic Forum (WEF)

 

Contacts:  

United Nations Development Programme
Lane Xang Avenue
P.O. Box 345 Vientiane, Lao PDR
Email: info.la@undp.org
Tel: +856 (0) 21 267 777
Fax: +856 (0) 21 267 799


 

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