Implementation of the National Environment Standard was reviewed on Tuesday after its approval on December 7.

The standard is used to monitor development projects and manage the release of pollution, whether through water, air, land or sound.

The Department of Environment's Water Resource and Environment Administration (WREA) held a discussion at the International Convention Training Centre in Vientiane to share ideas on how to use the standard most effectively to encourage everyone to preserve the environment.

Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister's Office and Deputy Head of the WREA, Mr Noulinh Sinhbandhit, said the organisation was a necessary monitor for implementation of the standard to preserve sustainable natural resources and environment.

“If the country wants to continue economic and social development, natural resources must not be destroyed.”

He said that in earlier stages of development there was a tendency to ignore negative impacts and natural resource destruction, but focus had changed to management of natural resources in more positive ways.

For example, the government issued policies, laws, regulations and strategy plans to protect the environment in consultation with stakeholders.

Mr Noulinh expressed hopes the standard would help to improve environmental protection in Laos if everyone complied.

Monitoring and inspection of developments projects, factories, and companies' management of pollution issues would raise the standard and ensure environmental sustainability for the benefit of all, he said.