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Newsletter of Bangkok-based projects by GIZ and partners Issue #25
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Newsletter of Bangkok-based projects by GIZ and partners Issue #25

Lao-Thai-German Trilateral Cooperation

On February 12, 2013, under the umbrella of Lao-Thai-German Trilateral Cooperation, GIZ and the Thailand International Development Cooperation Agency (TICA) jointly organized a management meeting on the topic “Strengthening National Good Agricultural Practices in Lao PDR Project”.

The project is being implemented in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture of Thailand and the Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Lao PDR with the collaboration of the “Lao Pilot Program-Agriculture Sector Project” under JICA, the ASEAN secretariat and Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Lao PDR. The project is drawing up guidelines for cooperation to support the development of National Good Agricultural Practices of Lao (Lao GAP), one of the requirements in preparing Lao PDR for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).
Three main agreements between the two projects to promote the Lao GAP were finalized at the meeting. These are:
  • Support the establishment of a Lao GAP certification body in accordance with the requirements of international standards : ISO guide 65.
  • Train and advise relevant personnel groups – inspectors, farm advisers and farmers preparing them to apply Lao GAP principles to the certification system in practice.
  • Carry out activities to raise awareness and better understanding among stakeholders in the pilot areas (Vientiane City and Vientiane District) about Lao GAP’s standards, the certification system and the differencesbetween Lao GAP’s products and general products.
Support will also be given to Lao PDR in obtaining Lao GAP for agricultural products to improve the quality and safety of domestic products as well as increase market opportunities for the export of agricultural products to various countries in ASEAN.

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Nam Xong Sub-River Basin Management under Lao-Thai-German Trilateral Cooperation

On January 25, 2013, GIZ, the Thailand International Development Cooperation Agency (TICA) and the Department of Water Resources (DWR), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) of Lao PDR held a workshop at the Kam Paseuth Hotel in Vang Vieng, Lao PDR, to draft regulations protecting the Nam Xong Sub-River basin.

Thai experts Ms.Chadaporn Unphapanee of the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and  Dr. Chao Nokyoo from the Pollution Control Department (PCD) shared their knowledge and experience of water protection regulations. Participants discussed various case studies from Thailand’s water protection regulations with the aim of applying lessons learned to the Nam Xong sub-river basin and to other rivers in Lao PDR.

No water protection regulations currently exist, though there are rules governing water management and maintaining water quality for the Nam Xong sub-river basin. First steps were taken to establish practical water protection regulations for the sub-river basin. The project aims to integrate and unify water protection regulations in order to manage the water resources so that they meet both upstream and downstream needs. Integrated water management will be applied to the project to effectively maintain current water quality and manage water consumption in accordance with unified water protection regulations.

The workshop enhanced public participation, with 25 representatives from related sectors taking part in the discussions and offering suggestions regarding Nam Xong Sub-River Basin Management and the drafting of water protection regulations. The regulations will be submitted to each city’s administration committee for approval and will come into effect by mid-2013.