Experience/Lessons Sharing of Environmental Initiatives of Hydropower Development in Laos By: Dr. Phouvin Phousavanh Faculty of Agriculture National University of Laos MK22 Balancing River Health and Hydropower Requirements in the Lancang River Basin

National University of Laos Faculty of Agriculture  It was the first agricultural education institute in Laos (founded in 1975).  To train qualified agricultural specialists to national and international educational standards.  Provides technical services to government and industry on environmental and social aspects of hydropower projects.

To improve environmental protection knowledge and skills of hydropower developers and regulators in Laos Experience/Lessons Sharing of Environmental Initiatives of Hydropower Development in Laos MK22: Balancing River Health and Hydropower Requirements in the Lancang River Basin

General Background  Laos plans to quadruple its hydropower generation capacity from current levels by the end of the decade  The Lao government is improving policies and regulations for the hydropower sector  Hydropower developers and regulatory agencies in Laos have limited knowledge and skills on environmental impacts and mitigation measures

General Background  Hydropower development involves a long process of assessing technical, commercial, environmental and social aspects, including understanding risks and opportunities for sustainable outcomes.  Some hydropower projects in Laos:  Short of the assessment of significant environmental impact  No sufficient data for prediction of negative impact as well as the lack of understanding of river health condition and possible change induced by hydropower

How will the project overcome the barriers?  Increase level of knowledge and skills of hydropower and regulatory agencies in Laos regarding environmental impacts and mitigation measures of hydropower development project, especially in planning and preparation periods. o learning from the wealth of successful experience and failure lessons from the Lancang River Basin. o International best practices will also be introduced to hydropower developers and regulatory agencies to improve their knowledge, skills and practice.

Output produced by the project for use by next user  Technical materials to support communications and training  Media (blog post / web stories)  Minutes of workshops

Activities 1.Identify institutes and organizations relating to the project and their technical requirements. 2.Technical materials and training plan development 3.Technical workshop and training on environmental impacts and mitigation of hydropower project 4.Complete the framework development for experience sharing between China and Laos 5.Complete the technical materials and training plan 6.Complete the technical workshop and training 7.Next user recognize the value of the project in improving knowledge and skills 8.Project progress reports

Implementation plans Activity/ Milestone (including Deliverables) Q1Q2Q3Q4Q1Q2Q3Q4Q1Q2Q3Q4 1. Identify institutes and organizations relating to the project and their technical requirements. 2. Technical materials and training plan development 3. Technical workshop and training on environmental impacts and mitigation of hydropower project 4. Complete the framework development for experience sharing between China and Laos 5. Complete the technical materials and training plan 6. Complete the technical workshop and training 7. Next user recognize the value of the project in improving knowledge and skills 8. Project progress reports

Thank you very much