The JuSTICE Project, funded by Agence Française de Développement (AFD), supported the Lao Bar Association (LBA) in organising the Environmental Law Forum held on 4-5 December 2025 in Vientiane Capital, Laos. The Forum brought together justice sector institutions, environmental specialists, and international experts to strengthen the enforcement of environmental protection laws and promote climate and environmental justice in Lao PDR.
The event forms part of broader efforts to reinforce the rule of law, enhance environmental governance, and build institutional capacity across the justice sector. Throughout the two-day Forum, participants engaged in discussions on environmental legislation, climate justice, environmental litigation, access to environmental rights, air pollution, waste management, and environmental legal education. Experts from Laos, Australia, China, France, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, and the United Nations Environment Programme brought comparative perspectives and practical approaches to improving environmental protection. Their insights encouraged participants to reflect on common challenges across the region and consider innovative solutions that could be adapted to the Lao context.
The Forum convened 70 participants, including lawyers, legal practitioners, and representatives from a range of institutions and organisations working at the intersection of justice and environmental governance. Exchanges among participants underscored the importance of judicial capacity-building, clearer procedural guidance, and stronger collaboration between institutions working on environmental governance.
The Forum concluded with a shared commitment to deepen cooperation and strengthen the application of environmental laws in Lao PDR. Participants emphasised the importance of coordinated action, improved legal understanding, and sustained engagement across institutions. The insights exchanged throughout the event will guide ongoing capacity-building efforts, inform upcoming activities within the CEJ component, and continue to shape collaborative work between judicial actors and institutional partners under the JuSTICE Project.
