(VientianeTimes ) The Lao government is preparing to launch a new project aimed at strengthening environmental management in Laos in parallel with plans for the country's future sustainable socio-economic development.

The new project comes as an increasing number of development projects get underway in Laos, triggered by the government's open policy to attract foreign investment, and there is a concern that these development projects could have adverse environmental impacts.

Phase 2 of the project will run from 2010 to 2014, with financial support from the government of Finland worth 9.5 million euros.

Following on from the first phase, the project will contribute to minimising environmental impacts from various major development projects in Laos through capacity building for involved officials.

On Tuesday, environment officials from throughout the country gathered in Vientiane to discuss preparations before the project commences later this year.

The project will not only provide technical support to the nine provinces involved in the first phase of the project, but also operate activities related to the strengthening of environmental management in another eight provinces.

The new eight provinces are Bokeo, Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, Bolikhamxay, Khammuan, Saravan, Savannakhet and Xekong.

Activities include linking environmental problems to the country's strategic plans, inspecting the implementation of various measures related to environmental management, capacity building, and improving information services and environmental analysis services.

The second phase of the project follows on from the positive results of the first phase which began in 2001 and will end on September 30, 2010.

Achievements during the first phase included boosting environmental awareness amongst villagers, building an education curriculum on environmental conservation, and capacity building for officials, in particular the capacity for undertaking effective environmental impact assessments.

Deputy Head of the Water Resource and Environment Administration, Mr Noulin Sinbandhit said environmental protection has become a core issue around the world and Laos is no exception.

“Natural resources are declining due to the rising global population. As a result, water and air pollution have increased in severity and all this is related to human actions,” he said.

“Climate change now affects people all around the world, particularly a poor nation like Laos where the majority of people rely on agriculture production based on the natural environment.”

The challenge is to modify human activities to become more environmentally friendly and reduce the impacts of climate change, he said.

In Laos, the environment continues to be degraded due to the loss of forestry resources. Air, water and land pollution also continue to increase due to development projec ts and expanded urbanisation.

The project will contribute to balancing development and environmental protection and ensure improvements to the livelihoods of Lao people.

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