On 25 April 2025, the JuSTICE Project organised a dissemination event to share the key findings of the Legal Analysis of Applicable Environmental Laws and Regulations in Lao PDR. This activity is part of the Project’s Climate and Environmental Justice (CEJ) component, which aims to strengthen the implementation and enforcement of environmental laws in Laos.
The event brought together representatives from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), the People’s Supreme Court (PSC), the Office of the Supreme People’s Prosecutor (OSPP), the Lao Bar Association (LBA), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), Ministry of Public Security (MOPS) and other relevant institutions including the National Institute of Justice and the Faculty of Law and Political Science. Following welcome remarks by Ms. Saykhit Visisombat, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation (DIC), Mr. Matthew Baird, Environmental Law Expert for the JuSTICE Project, provided an update on the CEJ component’s upcoming activities.
The main presentation was delivered by Briony Eales, lead author of the Legal Analysis, with support from Antyka Xayaphone. Their research provided a comprehensive review of the Lao legal framework on environmental and climate change issues, highlighting key strengths, identifying critical gaps, and opportunities for improvement. Particular emphasis was placed on recent legislative developments, including the Environmental Protection Law of 2024, and on practical recommendations to enhance law enforcement and access to environmental justice.
The event concluded with an engaging Q&A session that fostered active discussion among participants. Moving forward, the JuSTICE Project will build on these findings to design targeted training activities for justice and environmental actors at both central and local levels.
This initiative contributes to the JuSTICE Project’s broader mission to promote environmental protection, enhance climate resilience, and ensure equitable access to justice for all communities in Lao PDR. Through continued collaboration with partners and stakeholders, the JuSTICE Project remains committed to supporting sustainable development, strengthening the legal framework, and reinforcing environmental justice across Laos.
