Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – Laos has launched a US$6.5 million Nature-Based Urban Adaptation Solutions (NATURA) project to comprehensively enhance the city's climate adaptability by restoring degraded wetlands in Vientiane and reducing flood risk.
The project, funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is being implemented in collaboration with the Department of Housing and Urban Planning under the Lao Ministry of Public Works and Transport and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). Its aim is to create sustainable livelihoods through wetland restoration and promote long-term climate adaptation.
The project management team recently held its first meeting in Vientiane, co-chaired by Dr. Bountha Vongnavong, Director of the Department of Housing and Urban Planning, and Ms. Daghma Zwebey, Representative of the Global Green Growth Institute in Laos. Deputy directors and deputy district heads from various departments in the capital and heads of relevant agencies participated in the discussions.
Dr. Bountha Vongnavong explained that the US$6.5 million project funding will be used for the restoration and development of the Nong Luy'an area in Nong Kyi Lek village, Thekhotapang district, Vientiane. This area will serve as a pilot zone for applying nature-based solutions to urban flood control. The first phase of the project has completed data collection and a feasibility study in the Nong Ping area, which is planned as the implementation site for the second phase.
This meeting was the first formal consultation since the Minister of Public Works and Transport appointed the project management team in September 2025. The meeting focused on clarifying the responsibilities of team members, reviewing project progress, and outlining the 2026 work plan to ensure the project's coordinated, efficient, and orderly progress.
Dr. Bountha Vongnavong emphasized that the project's success depends on clear division of labor, teamwork, and efficient coordination. Transparent reporting, regular monitoring and evaluation, and a clear timeline and performance indicators are essential. 2026 is a crucial year for the project's implementation.
Local officials pointed out that rapid urban expansion in recent years has led to the encroachment and degradation of natural wetlands, exacerbating community flooding and climate-related risks. This project, through natural solutions to restore and improve wetlands, provides a sustainable and cost-effective long-term climate adaptation solution, while also encouraging community participation and comprehensively improving the quality of life for the people of Laos.
