The Lao People’s Democratic Republic is embarking on a green growth strategy to ensure its socio-economic development is sustainable and anchored in protecting the environment and increasing resilience to a changing climate.

This is one of the main messages articulated today by Lao PDR Vice Minister of Planning and Investment, Dr. Kikeo Chanthaboury, during a high-level visit to GCF Headquarters.

Accompanied by representatives from national ministries and departments, Dr. Chanthaboury said the Government of Lao PDR looks to GCF as “a partner in supporting its ambitious agenda to sustain the country’s strong economic growth while safeguarding its natural resources and raising the living standards of its citizens.”

During the hour-long discussion, the delegation engaged with GCF officials to better understand how the Fund works and possible avenues for greater collaboration. The meeting provided an opportunity to help clarify the full offerings of the Readiness Programme, the Project Preparation Facility and GCF accreditation modalities.

GCF has approved a USD 300,000 grant through the Readiness Programme to strengthen the capacity of the country’s National Designated Authority to the GCF, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and to develop a country programme that identifies strategic priorities for engagement with the Fund.

Dr. Chanthaboury added that accreditation to GCF is also a priority to implement a country-driven approach in its engagement with the Fund.

Speaking on behalf of the Fund, Mr. Javier Manzanares, Deputy Executive Director a.i., highlighted that working directly with countries, through direct access, is at the core of the organization’s mission. He shared that currently 50 per cent of the Fund’s accredited entities – 27 in total – are direct access, a number which will further increase.

The GCF Director of Country Programming, Mr. Pa Ousman Jarju, underscored to the Vice-Minister that GCF stands ready to work alongside Lao PDR in ensuring its green growth strategy mainstreams climate resilience and low-emission development.