State of Water Resources of Lao PDR and River Basin Planning

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Project Context:

To address the most pressing challenges in the water sector in Lao PDR, a key priority for the Department of Water Resources (DWR) within the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) is to improve the availability of water-related data, including information on water availability, water use, and water quality. This need is particularly acute in river basins outside the Mekong mainstream and its major tributaries, where data coverage has historically been limited. Another priority is to strengthen modelling capacity—both by developing a small core team of specialists and by improving data management and the broader understanding and use of modelling outputs for decision-making across the department.

As part of its ongoing water cooperation with the Government of Lao PDR, the Australian Water Partnership (AWP) is supporting DWR in advancing these priorities through targeted capacity development for national technical staff and by piloting tools and methodologies in the Nam Ma and Nam Neun river basins.

Objectives:

Key objectives of the Activity include developing a robust methodology for national water-resources assessments, conducting detailed surface- and groundwater assessments in the Nam Ma and Nam Neun river basins, and strengthening national capacity for integrated water resources management. A particular focus will be placed on enhancing DWR’s ability to use modelling tools and data systems to inform planning and policy decisions. The Activity will also emphasize climate resilience and systematically integrate gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) considerations to ensure that water-management planning reflects the needs and perspectives of all community groups. Together, these efforts will expand data availability beyond the Mekong mainstream and support more informed, equitable, and climate-resilient decision-making.

client:

Australian Water Partnership (AWP)

LOCATION:

Lao PDR

TIME:

Activities:

ICEM is undertaking the following tasks:

Task 1: Development of a co-design Work Plan

Co-designing a workplan that sets out the Activity methodology, proposed timelines for delivering outputs, and planned engagement with government counterparts and key stakeholders. The workplan will also define anticipated outcomes, outline approaches to climate resilience and GEDSI analysis, identify key risks, and include a MERLA framework.

Task 2: Updated water resources assessment and scenarios for priority basins

Designing a methodology to assess the current state of water resources, building on relevant existing materials, including previous AWP projects such as the Rapid Initial Assessment of the State of Water Resources in Lao PDR (2018) and the Nam Xam Water Resource Assessment (2023).
Leading the development of comprehensive surface- and groundwater resource assessments in the Nam Ma and Nam Neun river basins, in partnership with DWR staff.
Reviewing the Lao Water Information System (LaoWIS) and piloting its use to manage data collected and generated for the Nam Ma and Nam Neun river basins, to assess current data-management practices and propose sustainable improvements.

Task 3: Support DWR staff in developing river system models

Conducting a needs assessment to understand DWR’s priorities for mentorship related to water modelling, LaoWIS management and application, and scenario development and assessment.
Developing a capacity-development plan, including data-collection methodologies, to support DWR in river-system modelling and LaoWIS management, with a focus on the Nam Ma and Nam Neun river basins.
Providing on-the-job training and mentorship to MAE water modellers, including support for data collation and preparation, model development and verification, analysis and interpretation of model outputs, water-resources assessment, and the development, management, and application of LaoWIS, ensuring two-way knowledge exchange.

Task 4: Training on using models and scenarios for decision making

Delivering training on scenario development and assessment to support evidence-based decision-making. This training will engage a broader group of participants, including staff from DWR, other MAE departments, and the National University of Laos, to strengthen capacity for designing and interpreting water-resources management scenarios.
Integrating gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) considerations throughout the capacity-development plan and activities, including approaches to incorporating GEDSI into data collection, water-resources assessment, and scenario development and analysis.