Government of Laos Advances Sustainable Infrastructure with New UN Collaboration

Laos has taken a major step forward in promoting sustainable infrastructure with the official launch of its Infrastructure Asset Management Enabling Environment (IAM EE) Roadmap. Introduced on March 27 in Vientiane, the roadmap aims to strengthen the management and sustainability of public infrastructure such as roads, schools, and hospitals through resilient, inclusive, and sustainable practices. 

The roadmap was developed over two years of close collaboration between the Lao Ministry of Finance and key United Nations agencies, including the United Nations Office for Project Services, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and the United Nations Capital Development Fund. The initiative is closely aligned with Laos’ development priorities and its commitment to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.  

At the launch event, UN Resident Coordinator Bakhodir Burkhanov emphasized that the roadmap’s success will depend on sustained investment, multisector collaboration, securing funding, and building institutional capacity. While the roadmap provides a strategic framework, its effectiveness will depend on aligning stakeholders around common goals. The roadmap itself offers a framework to optimize the use and maintenance of infrastructure assets, ensuring projects not only address immediate needs but also deliver long-term value to communities. It calls for coordinated action among government agencies, local authorities, development partners, and the private sector to improve infrastructure service delivery and boost economic resilience nationwide. 

Looking ahead, the Lao government plans to begin implementing priority actions in 2025, focusing on resource mobilization, integrating best practices, and strengthening institutional frameworks. This marks the beginning of a long-term transformation in how public infrastructure is planned, maintained, and evaluated in Laos.