From 27 November to 2 December 2025, the Department of Water Resources (DWR), with support from UNDP Lao PDR and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), organized a domestic knowledge exchange between Luang Prabang and Savannakhet under the Integrated Water Resources Management and Ecosystem-based Adaptation (IWRM–EbA) Project. The exchange served as a key platform for strengthening the capacity of provincial and district actors to plan and implement climate-resilient measures while promoting cross-learning between two provinces that share comparable challenges related to water resource management, ecosystem degradation, and climate-induced risks.

Hosted in Luang Prabang, the programme brought together representatives from local authorities, district and provincial offices, village development committees, technical teams from POAE and DOAE, and academic partners involved in the IWRM–EbA initiative. The six-day programme was designed to deepen technical understanding of ecosystem-based adaptation, enhance coordination among implementing agencies, and create opportunities to reflect on lessons learned from ongoing project activities in both provinces. Participants began the exchange with a series of technical sessions facilitated by DWR and UNDP specialists, covering topics such as climate vulnerability assessments, watershed and river basin management, implementation progress, and challenges encountered in field operations. The sessions encouraged open discussion on issues such as monitoring and data gaps, community engagement, and the need for more integrated planning across administrative levels.

A significant component of the programme was the sharing of experiences between Luang Prabang and Savannakhet. Village committees and district technical officers presented practical examples of how climate adaptation measures are being carried out on the ground, including the development of village-level water-use plans, forest restoration activities, community-led conservation efforts, and early warning practices. These exchanges enabled participants to understand the diversity of approaches applied at community level and to consider how traditional knowledge, scientific assessments, and local realities intersect in project implementation.

Field visits to selected IWRM–EbA project sites in Luang Prabang provided participants with the opportunity to observe firsthand a range of ecosystem-based interventions. These included protected upstream catchment areas, reforestation sites, community watershed management activities, sediment control structures, and climate-adaptive water systems. Discussions during the site visits focused on how these interventions contribute to improved watershed health, support long-term water security, and strengthen community resilience. Participants also explored how similar measures could be adapted or replicated in Savannakhet, taking into account differences in environmental conditions, land-use patterns, and community structures.

In addition to technical learning, the exchange emphasized the importance of strengthening inter-provincial cooperation and institutional collaboration. Provincial authorities, academic stakeholders, and community representatives agreed on the necessity of improving information sharing, aligning local and provincial development plans with climate adaptation strategies, and establishing sustained mechanisms for peer learning. As a result of the discussions, both provinces identified several follow-up actions, including enhancing monitoring systems for ecosystem conditions, integrating community-based practices into formal planning processes, and refining their respective implementation approaches to ensure more effective delivery of project outcomes.

The knowledge exchange is expected to yield long-term benefits for both Luang Prabang and Savannakhet. By facilitating dialogue, technical learning, and practical observation, the programme has strengthened the capacity of government officials, technical teams, and community partners to manage natural resources more effectively and respond to increasing climate pressures. The exchange also supports the broader objectives of the IWRM–EbA Project, which aims to safeguard vital ecosystems, promote sustainable water resource management, and enhance the resilience of local communities to floods, droughts, and environmental change. Through this collaborative effort, both provinces demonstrated their shared commitment to advancing climate-resilient development and ensuring the sustainability of natural resources for future generations.

Contact for Further Information:
For media inquiries, please contact:
Phouphet Chittaphone, Database and Communication Officer, IWRM-EbA Project
Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment
Email: [email protected] Tel: +8562058562532