Background Locations Lao PDR is a mountainous and water rich country located almost entirely within the Mekong River Basin, which is one of the world's largest river systems, and has significant hydropower Vientiane, Khammouane, potential, for both domestic use and export to neighboring countries. The country has a Savannakhet, Champassack, number of fertile floodplains that have considerable potential for irrigated agriculture, but are and Attapeu also subject to extensive flooding. The Government typically responds to floods and droughts on an ad-hoc basis and in an emergency manner instead of putting in place the necessary long-term measures. Each water-using sector—hydropower, agricultural, urban, etc.— manages water independently, without an overall planning framework. The Lao PDR Government recognized the need to update the legal and regulatory framework, and the National Assembly has approved an updated Water Law in May 2017, with technical Financier assistance from the World Bank and IFC. Through the updated Water Law, the Lao PDR Government is now emphasizing multi-sector water management based on a river basin World Bank (International management framework. Development Association): $51 million The Series of Projects under the Mekong Integrated Water Resources Management (M - IWRM) Program aim to help the countries of the Mekong better plan and manage their water resources. The program includes three national projects: in Lao PDR, Vietnam, and Cambodia, and one regional component managed by the Mekong River Commission. Implementing Agencies • Mekong River Commission • Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment • Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Approval Date February 8, 2012 Closing Date March 31, 2021 About the Project Contacts The project aims to improve water resource and fisheries management in selected areas of Ms. Nishtha Mehta the Lower Mekong Basin. This will be achieved through: World Bank Task Team Leader Ms. Viengsompasong Inthavong • Regional water resources management supports the Mekong River Commission in World Bank Task Team Leader facilitating regional water resources management dialogue through transboundary projects, establishing an approach for transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment, finalizing National Indicative Plans, facilitating communications on transboundary dialogue, and project implementation. • National water resources management support building the fundamentals for water resources management in Lao PDR. • Improved floodplain and aquatic resources management promotes sustainable worldbank.org/lao irrigation and flood control infrastructure, and introducing community fisheries management. @WorldBankLaos Beneficiaries @WB_AsiaPacific Approximately 126,000 people are expected to benefit from both the irrigation, drainage, and fisheries management components. This is made up for 50,000 primarily rural and poor people from fishing communities and around 76,000 people from farming communities.