By Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Management (DPMM), SET
Vientiane, Lao PDR, April 3, 2025 – Over 30 regional, national, and subnational stakeholders convened in Vientiane for the National Stakeholder Workshop of the project “Strengthening Climate Resilience of Agricultural Livelihoods in Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR through participatory Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA).” The event served as a critical platform for knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and fostering future collaboration to address climate challenges through sustainable, nature-based solutions.
The workshop brought together diverse voices from diplomatic missions, government ministries, district and local-level government officials, academic and research institutions, international organizations, the private sector, and community groups.
The project is jointly implemented by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), the National University of Laos (NUOL), and Kasetsart University Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Campus, with support from the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) Asia under the Mekong Think Tanks program and the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). It focuses on enhancing climate resilience among vulnerable farming communities in Savannakhet Province by identifying and promoting ecosystem-based adaptation measures that integrate scientific evidence with local knowledge.
The National Workshop also garnered media attention from the Vientiane Times, the first English-language newspaper in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Kaisone Phengsopha, Project Advisor and Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences at NUOL, emphasized Savannakhet’s role in national food security and the importance of collective action. He stated: “This workshop is aimed at creating a platform for us to share our knowledge and experiences, and find ways to help communities build better livelihoods and adapt to climate change, especially through ecosystem-based approaches.”
Dr. Sushmita Mandal, Senior Research Fellow at SEI Asia, introduced the broader Mekong Thought Leadership and Think Tanks Network (MTT) and its alignment with water, energy, and development challenges in the region. The initiative fosters a collaborative space for knowledge generation and exchange to support integrated adaptation planning.
The core findings of the project were presented by Assoc. Prof. Indrajit Pal, Project Lead and Chair of the Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Management (DPMM) program at AIT. He noted: “Through a comprehensive approach involving scientific research and community-led discussions, we have identified EbA approaches that are suitable for agricultural communities in Savannakhet Province, as well as those already practiced by the communities.” He further stated that the project had identified key barriers and enablers to implementing EbA approaches, which can inform policy discussions and actions at both local and national levels.
The workshop also featured a panel and group discussion to facilitate dialogue on policies and collaborative pathways to enhance EbA adoption for addressing climate change impacts and improving livelihood resilience. Participants—including policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and community representatives—shared insights on current gaps and strategic actions required to scale up ecosystem-based adaptation across agricultural communities in Lao PDR.
The recommendations echoed themes from earlier discussions, emphasizing the importance of community-centered planning, integration of indigenous and local knowledge, harmonization of local initiatives with national adaptation strategies, improved access to finance, and inclusive participatory mechanisms—particularly for women, youth, ethnic minorities, and other marginalized groups.
