The SEADRIF Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) workshop for the Lao PDR government was held on 5–6 June 2025 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The training was attended by 62 government officials, most of whom were from the five provinces most affected by Typhoon Yagi: Houaphan, Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, Xayabury, and Xieng Khouang. The participants represented six ministries involved in the recovery and reconstruction efforts, including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
Mr. Somxay Keovandy, Deputy Director General of Department of State-Owned Enterprises and Insurance Supervision, Lao PDR Ministry of Finance, delivered the opening remarks. He highlighted the importance of SEADRIF’s support in Laos, particularly the rapid disbursement of insurance payouts during the first two payout periods in 2023 and 2024. He also emphasized the critical role of local stakeholders in ensuring accountability in environmental and social management, especially in the context of urgent reconstruction efforts aimed at restoring livelihoods for affected communities.
The ESMS workshop strengthened the environmental and social management capacity of beneficiary stakeholders. By the end of the workshop, participants had completed their environmental and social screening, assessments, and performance reporting for the reconstruction activities they were directly involved in. Their active participation and collaboration demonstrated the government’s commitment to ensuring that all spending adheres to the SEADRIF ESMS, which was developed in alignment with The World Bank's Environmental and Social Framework.
This second ESMS workshop marked the final capacity-building event under the first SEADRIF project and lays the groundwork for future ESMS implementation in Lao PDR under the upcoming SEADRIF project.
