Opportunities and Challenges of Water Resources Management in Lao PDR Lao National Mekong Committee Secretariat Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

Contents Background of Laos Water Demand National Natural Resources & Environment Vision 2030 National Water Resource Strategy 2025 National Water Resource Action Plan 2016-2020 Opportunities Some Challenges

Background of Laos Geography – surrounding 5 countries with a different political system; Lao PDR is located in South-East Asia with Area of 236,800 km2 and Density country Population 68 per/Sq Kms; 90% of the country are in Mekong Basin; 35% of annual flow (or equal 270,000 mil. m3) in Mekong is from Lao tributaries; Water resources per capita is around 55,000 m3 per year; The pattern of rainfall is around 80% during the rainy season and 20% in the dry season. Lao PDR has abundance by water resources, tributaries, and number of 62 sub-river basins significantly situated in the country territory.

Background of Laos (Cotn,) Politics one legal party; 17 provincial administrations; Vientiane is the capital city; An increasing number of population; Population – 6 .8 million (2012); Annual growth rate (2005) – 2,4%

Water Demand Domestic and industrial water use; Agriculture – irrigated areas, crop areas; Mining; Hydroelectricity; Fisheries; Tourism; and Navigation.

Power Development Situation (as of 2012) Total installed capacity of the country: 2,971 MW, in which IPP export is 2,149.9 MW, while for domestic use is 821.1 MW.; Projects under construction has total installed capacity 5,489.5 MW, in which IPP export is 3,994MW; and for domestic use is 1,495.5 MW, in which 70.5 MW installed capacity less than 15 MW; Households electrified 83 % (as of 2012); Industry growth of about 7-8% pa, while electricity consumption increased by 12% pa in the last 10 years; About 75 hydropower projects are now under stages of MOU, PDA and CA

National Natural Resources & Environment Vision 2030 “Making Lao PDR Green, Clean and Beautiful, based on Green Economic Growth, to ensure Sustainable Resilient Development and Climate Change”

National Water Resource Strategy 2025 Vision is coordinated, optimized and sustainable development and use of water resources, protection of the environment and improvement of social well-being.

National Water Resource Strategy 2025 (cont.) Mission ensure sustainable development and management of water resources and minimize water environment and social impacts prioritization of water allocation for basic human needs, ensure equitable water uses and sharing the benefits of water availability and development management and protection of water sources and systematic, comprehensive planning for water resources development and use, balancing socioeconomic outcomes and water ecosystems strengthening ownership and participation of stakeholders on management of water resources development and use through capacity building and use of local knowledge

National Water Resource Action Plan 2016-2020 Institutional Strengthening & Coordination; Legislation, Plans and Implementation; RB and Sub-RBs WR Planning; Groundwater Management; Data & Information Management; Water Allocation; Protection of WQ and Ecosystems; Wetland Management; Flood and Drought Management; WR Risk Mgt. & CC Adaptation; IWRM Financing; Awareness, Participation & Capt. Building.

Opportunities The abundant water sources in Lao PDR have the potential to support socio-economic development, especially hydropower and irrigation sub-sectors. The hydropower potential of Lao PDR is great compared to other countries in the lower Mekong River Basin providing an opportunity to earn foreign income. However, the water source development is still at a low level: irrigated area is only 20% of the national paddy area and hydropower production is still at 2% of its potential of 30,000 Megawatts. Development in other sectors is still at a low level compared to hydropower and irrigation.

Some Challenges WR development and water use increased; New institutional arrangement & establishment; Legislations need to be improved; population increased; Limited capacity of concerned staff on RB planning & management, and lack of numbers of staff; Lack of efficient, accurate WR data & information; WQ and ecosystems has been degraded in some areas; Natural disaster frequently occurred and more severe - floods, drought & CC impact on water countrywide; Limited public awareness & local participation on IWRM; Limited financial support & sustainable mechanism.

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