The National Inception Workshop on Green Climate Fund (GCF) Project 2 – Implementation of Governance, Forest Landscapes and Livelihoods (I-GFLL 2) was held on May 4, in Vientiane.

Co chaired by Mr Sousath Sayakoummane, Director General, Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and Ms Barbara Schweiger, Deputy GIZ Country Director, the meeting was attended by representatives of international organisations and relevant authorities.

The meeting aimed to brief the participants about the progress of I-GFLL and officially kick-off the GCF Sub-Project 2 (I-GFLL 2), Mr Sousath Sayakoummane told the opening ceremony of the meeting.

Implemented in Huaphan, Luang Prabang and Xayaboury since 2020, I-GFLL 1 has been benefiting 15 districts (240 villages) in the three northern provinces.

Financed with a grant assistance package of EUR 16.16 million from the government of Germany, the project promotes forestry management, land use planning and the establishment of village funds, according to Mr Sousath Sayakoummane.

Some activities are not completed as planned so we have to request 32 more million EUR from GCF so that we will be able to continue the project activities.

To prepare for the implementation of I-GFLL 2, BMZ has provided over 4 million EUR to and signed an MOU on cooperation with GIZ to Laos.

I-GFLL aims at reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation through promoting sustainable management and conservation of forest resources and enhancement of forest carbon stocks, said Ms Barbara Schweiger, GIZ Deputy Country Director.

This will be achieved through strengthened institutional and regulatory systems for low-emission planning and development and improved management of forest and land areas.

Source: Lao News Agency