News 2016

28/12/2016

Sharing experiences and best practices on village banks in Southern Laos

A Vietnamese delegation visited Southern Laos from 07 – 12 December 2016 to learn about best practices on Village Banks from the ‘Access to Finance for the Poor’ (AFP) project.

23/12/2016

Natural resource monitoring according to villager criteria

Since more than one year Thongxam village located in the north of Hin Nam No National Protected Area (HNN NPA) is receiving support for the process of participatory delineation of Controlled Use Zones (CUZ) and Total Protected Zones (TPZ).

20/12/2016

Final consultation workshop on Houaphan's Provincial REDD+ Action Plan

Houaphan's Provincial REDD+ Action Plan has been discussed during the final consultation workshop in Xam Neua

24/11/2016

Exchange of Experiences between Managers of Microfinance Institutions under the Microfinance Project Access to Finance for the Poor (AFP)

A meeting to exchange experiences on managing Village Bank Network Support Organisations (NSO) has been conducted from 15-17 November 2016 with the support of AFP project.

29/11/2016

Patrolling in the Hin Nam No National Protected Area

Evaluating the work of the village rangers of Hin Nam No National Protected Area (HNN NPA) is mainly done via the reports back from the field.

20/11/2016

Lao-German intergovernmental negotiations in Vientiane

Germany will support development in Lao PDR in the years 2016-2017 with 45.8 million Euros.

25/11/2016

Australia continues to support Financial Inclusion through Village Banks in Laos

The Australian government has provided additional funding of 1.83 million Australian Dollar to the project ‘Microfinance in Rural Areas – Access to Finance for the Poor’.

24/11/2016

Findings of country-wide Study on the Lao Youth presented to the Public

A wide audience comprising with Representatives from the Lao Government, Development Partners and Civil Society attended a Results Presentation Workshop for the Study on the Situation and Aspirations of the Lao Youth.

2/11/2016

Making progress towards ASEAN integration in the healthcare sector: Consultation workshop on regulatory reform for healthcare professionals

Lao PDR prepares members of the new Healthcare Professional Council and Boards to improve licensing and registration in accordance to ASEAN requirements

31/10/2016

BFL Bank, Phu Bia Mining and GIZ bring financial literacy to remote villages

Phu Bia Mining has provided 440 million LAK to 11 villages, to set up village banks.

31/10/2016

Financial Inclusion in Laos and the Evolution of Village Bank Pung

The Access to Finance for the Poor (AFP) programme works towards expanding the provision of financial services to rural population through village banks.

28/10/2016

4th Summer Film School 2016 was a complete success

On the 16th September participants of the 4th Summer Film School proudly presented their three completed films to members and media experts of the ProCEEd project as well as representatives of PADETC and the DEQP.

27/10/2016

Hands-on Training for the Production of Environmental Radio Programs

The ProCEEd project invited several radio journalists from four radio stations of Khammouane (Boualapha District) and Houaphan (Houameang District) to join a training for the production of environmental radio programs.

24/10/2016

Bringing Transparency into the Timber Flow

As part of the Timber Legality Assurance System (TLAS) that has to be developed for the FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement, it is important to monitor the flow of timber along the supply chain.

19/10/2016

Villagers learn about HNN NPA by-laws

From 23 to 26 August 2016, the outreach team carried out the by-law dissemination in Ban Dou cluster including six villages such as Nong Bua, Nong Seng, Dou, Vangmaner and Thongxam.

30/09/2016

ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2016

Lao PDR hosted the 13th ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) from 5th – 7th of September 2016 as part of the Lao ASEAN Chairmanship 2016 and its related summits.

30/09/2016

Strengthening Laos’s Agricultural Sector to produce safer and more sustainable food

Partnership between Germany and DPS has been established to promote safe and organic production of fruit and vegetables, as well as rice and field crops.

30/09/2016

Germany continues to support the MRC Strategic Plan 2016 – 2020

Germany continues to support the MRC Strategic Plan 2016 – 2020 symbolized by a signing ceremony between MRC and GIZ for financial support of 7 million Euros.

22/09/2016

FLEGT Strengthens Role of Village Forestry to Support Local Livelihoods

The management of village use forests in Laos will be strengthened to better support livelihoods of local communities and enhance forest protection.

31/08/2016

New Short Films on Rural Development

The Rights-LINK Lao project has produced a joint production of six mini-drama short films on land, agriculture, and village development. The films have been supported by GIZ on behalf of the German Government.

29/8/2016

48th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting

Under the Lao ASEAN Chairmanship 2016, the 48th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings were held at the Don Chan Palace Hotel in Vientiane Capital (Lao PDR) from July 31st to August 06th 2016.

29/8/2016

Theater Workshop on Waste Management with Mobile Conservation Unit

Enthusiastic applause and bravos rewarded the young team of the Mobile Conservation Unit (MCU) for a great theatre performance and their effort and commitment during the last seven days.

13/08/2016

13th ASEAN Leadership Forum

The 13th ASEAN Leadership Forum (ALF) was held on August 06th and 07th 2016 at the Don Chanh Palace Hotel in Vientiane Capital.

09/08/2016

Vocational teachers are due to receive technological training

Memorandum of Understanding for Training of Teachers in Computer Numerical Control (CNC) technology has been signed.

25/08/2016

Improving Nutrition and Hygiene in Lao Schools

Agreement on piloting the GIZ Fit for School Approach on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools with School Feeding by the World Food Programme in Beng District, Oudomxay Province, Lao PDR.

12/08/2016

Win-win for people and ecosystem in Hin Nam No

This July, the outreach unit of Hin Nam No National Protected Area (HNN NPA) supported the traditional celebration on Fish Release Day at Sa Ang Village, Bualapha District in Kham-mouane Province.

15/07/2016

Lao’s pesticide decree uplifted and to be finalised soon

The Department of Agriculture of Laos has recently completed a series of “Government Hearing Consultation Meetings on the Pesticide Decree for Synthetic Chemicals and Biological Control Agents”.

27/07/2016

Hin Nam No to become Laos’ first natural world heritage

Hin Nam No National Protected Area is officially on the tentative list to become Laos’ first natural world heritage site.

26/07/2016

FLEGT timber legality definition strengthens implementation of forestry legislation

Key parts of the timber legality definition have been drafted to help ensure good forest governance in Laos, under the recent initiative led by the Government of Lao PDR and others

12/07/2016

FLEGT process enforces PM Order no.15 to improve forest governance and fight deforestation to ensure legal timber trade agreement with EU

A remarkable outcome has been witnessed after the Prime Minister of Lao PDR has issued the Order on “Strengthening Strictness of Timber Harvest Management and Inspection, Timber Transport and Business”

20/07/2016

First Regional Land Forum successfully held in the Mekong Region

The Regional Land Forum held in Hanoi from 21-23 June 2016 was the first international forum on land governance in the Mekong region

04/07/2016

Lower Mekong countries exchange lessons learned from flood risk mitigation pilot project

Following the conclusion of four pilot projects to reduce flood vulnerability in the Lower Mekong Basin, MRC and GIZ conducted a regional workshop on 15 and 16 June in Cambodia

07/06/2016

Launching of Hotline 1510 and the Advocacy of Consumer Protection

The Domestic Trade Department, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, officially launched the Hotline 1510 aimed to protect consumers in the Lao PDR.

23/06/2016

Graduation Ceremony at Vientiane Province Technical Vocational College was a success

On 11 May 2016, there was a graduation ceremony held at Vientiane Province Technical Vocational College (VPTVC).

18/06/2016

Lao PDR presents its efforts on how to progress under FLEGT/VPA in effectively reducing illegal logging at International Chatham House Meeting in UK

Press release about the 26th Illegal Logging Update and Stakeholder Consultation Meeting between 16 and 17 June 2016 in London.

20/06/2016

Hin Nam No project organises workshop and high-level meeting

GIZ Hin Nam No project organised a Training of Trainers on co-management structures and a high level meeting

10/06/2016

Raising Environmental Awareness for young students

A drawing competition for students of two schools in Boualapha District, Khammouane Province was conducted on 26 and 27 May.

09/06/2016

Say no to plastic bags

On the occasion of the German Action Days for Sustainability 2016, GIZ Laos has organised the event “Say no to plastic bags” on 3 June

03/06/2016

South-south exchange on environmental education between Kyrgyzstan and Laos

Integrated Expert Aline Rosset from the Kyrgyz Republic visited the ProCEEd project in Lao PDR for an exchange on methods and implementation modes of environmental awareness raising.

31/05/2016

Innovative products offer new market opportunities for Lao wood processing industry

The Lao wood processing industry will soon be able to increase their profits and yield, as small diameter logs and lesser known timber species can be used for the production of high value-added wood panels.

29/05/2016

Lao experts contribute to the ASEAN Regional Guidelines on Soil and Nutrient Management

Lao national expert groups have exchanged good practices on soil and nutrient management.

30/05/2016

How a school garden can contribute to nature conservation

Environmental education with school students of Nong Ping village, Bualapha District

27/05/2016

Impact of village banks on rural households evaluated

The Lao-Australian Development Learning Facility (LADLF) carried out an evaluative study of household responses to changes in access to finance resulting from village banks.

26/05/2016

Book about Hin Nam No National Protected Area published

This month the first book on “The Great Cave of the Xe Bang Fai” in the Hin Nam No National Protected Area has been published.

25/05/2016

Mekong River Commission and GIZ conclude adaptation pilot project in Khammouane

MRC and GIZ have successfully concluded a pilot project in Khammouane province that reduces the vulnerability to floods in Nongbok district.

19/05/2016

Memorandum of Understanding for ASEAN Food Standards signed

The Standards in the Southeast Asian Food Trade (SAFT) project has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Agriculture under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

10/05/2016

Project Luang Prabang – Handle with Care

The project “Luang Prabang - Handle with Care” has now started and was celebrated with an opening ceremony

15/05/2016

Up-scaling Hin Nam No’s co-management approach

The Hin Nam No National Protected Area hosted 15 guests from southern Laos to exchange lessons learned on collaborative management of protected areas.

11/05/2016

From 300 to 100,000 green farms: Trilateral Cooperation with Laos

After almost five years of implementation, the project Strengthening National Good Agricultural Practice in Lao PDR has now came to an end.

30/04/2016

FSC Forest Certification Pays Off in Vietnam

The benefits of forest management certification in Vietnam according to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) are two-fold.

30/04/2016

German Ambassador Michael Grau visits GIZ projects in northern provinces

A week before the Lao new year celebrations, the German Ambassador Michael Grau started his journey to the northern provinces.

05/04/2016

Hin Nam No promotes gender equality

End of March, a leadership and gender training of trainers took place in Nong Ping village, Bualapha District.

15/04/2016

New tourism strategy contributes to conservation

In November 2015 the Australian company TRC helped relevant stakeholders to develop the Hin Nam No National Protected Area Tourism Strategy 2016-2020.

27/04/2016

Press release ProFLEGT

In a workshop on 26 and 27 April the Technical Working Group of the Lao FLEGT process has elaborated a first draft Timber Legality Definition.

15.02.2016

Protecting Hin Nam No National Protected Area

Good Governance Training contributes to improved governance of Hin Nam No

19.02.2016

Edutainment for more environmental awareness

ProCEEd develop theater play on Forest protection and natural disasters

22.02.2016

Revised Multiplier Training System presented and handed over to Ministry of Education and Sports

As one of the follow-up activities of the Master Trainer of Vocational Education Programme, which has been supported by the GIZ TVET Teacher Education Programme (TTEP), the Multiplier Training System (MTS) has been revised.

25.02.2016

Online short films related to GIZ Laos projects

A video about the Mekong River Lower Basin and its diverse but fragile biodiversity, that features the MRC programme in Cambodia, can be watched online on the DW website.

29.01.2016

Provincial and District Journalists Trained in Environmental Radio

As part of its support to environmental radio, the environmental communication and education project ProCEEd invited journalists from Khammouane, Houaphan, Sayaboury and Bolikhamxay Province to a seminar and training in Vientiane in December 2015.

20/01/2016

Co-management leads to more effective management of Hin Nam No

On 12 and 13 January 2016, the Hin Nam No co-management team conducted the yearly management effectiveness self–assessment, based on a method developed by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity.

04.04.2016

Video Clip of GIZ Laos Microfinance Project on YouTube

Video on GIZ efforts to provide Access to Finance for the Poor (AFP) in Laos

29.02.2016

Press release ProFLEGT

The Government of Lao PDR, accompanied by the Lao wood processing industry, has highlighted its recent work on the innovative tool "Forestry Legality Compendium" for working towards improved forest governance in Laos.

08.03.2016

Useful Resources in the Garbage

GIZ project conducts waste management awareness raising at Sikhottabong Festival.

01.03.2016

Environmental Tour to Khammouane Addresses Biodiversity

GIZ project conducts biodiversity conservation awareness raising in Boualapha and Thakhek.

15.03.2016

Exploring Hin Nam No’s outstanding universal value

Experts conduct research on HNNs unique caves and cave biodiversity

21.03.2016

Improving the management of natural resources in Hin Nam No

How villagers are regulating the use of natural resources in their area

17.03.2016

About the Future of the MRC

Update on the ongoing Mekong River Commission reform