Project Summary:  PacMar provided technical expertise in the area of policy and institutional reviews and analysis to the ADB’s progam loan appraisal mission which was designed to assist Lao PDR to implement a targeted policy reform agenda for environmental management and social safeguards in the energy and transport sectors, with a particular focus on hydropower and roads.  In order to ensure effective implementation of environmental and social measures in the energy and transport sectors, the establishment of a sustainable financing mechanism in the form of a "Trust Fund" to provide specific support over the long term was being considered.

Project Outcome:  The proceeds of this fund would be used to finance appropriate entities that would undertake the following kind of activities in the Lao PDR:

(1) capacity building and human resource development for environmental management and social  safeguards;

(2) third party monitoring of environmental and social implications of complex and sensitive infrastructure projects; 

(3) planning frameworks for integrated resource management;

(4) conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity;

(5) participatory natural resource management initiatives;

(6) enabling measures for environment and social mitigation of energy, transport and other infrastructure projects; and

(7) relevant pre-feasibility environmental and social studies of major infrastructure projects.