(KPL) Water is essential for life, yet approximately four billion people - about two-thirds of the global population - are currently facing severe water scarcity.  In contrast, Laos is endowed with abundant water resources, with around 80% of the country situated within the Mekong Basin.

Approximately, 1 out of every 23 million hectares in Laos is covered by water, contributing to a total annual flow estimated at 270,000 million cubic meters, which represents 35% of the average annual flow of the entire Mekong Basin.

However, the water resources of Laos are both a blessing and a challenge. While they are crucial for unlocking the country’s socio-economic potential - particularly in the hydropower and irrigation sectors - seasonal flooding has devastated vulnerable communities, and prolonged droughts have left farmers struggling to grow crops and access clean water.

For instance, on September 25, 2024, Typhoon Yagi caused widespread flooding in central and northern Laos, causing the death of 11 people and affecting more than 200,000 people, including 85,698 women.

According to the Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis (CFSVA), about 46% in Laos, or 188,000, are vulnerable to drought.

Wetlands and peatlands serve as multifunctional ecosystems that provide nature-based solutions (NBS) for effective water management.

They play a vital role in enhancing the resilience of catchment areas against floods and safeguarding water availability during drought. However, the increasing impacts of climate change and high climate vulnerability are drying up natural water springs, ponds, and seasonal riverbeds. The reduction in surface water flow and groundwater recharge poses significant risks to both short- and long-term water availability.

Furthermore, rising siltation levels in river systems lead to erosion, while destructive flooding threatens the lives and livelihoods of people in Laos. The Third National Communications Report on Climate Change (2024) indicates that by 2050, Laos will experience significant changes in rainfall and temperature patterns, with serious implications for ecosystems and the livelihoods of communities that depend on them.

Water is both a giver and a taker - it nurtures life and sustains communities, yet it can also bring destruction when mismanaged, especially as climate change increases uncertainty.

As we celebrate World Water Day, we honour the vital role of water while acknowledging the urgent need to protect and manage these precious resources for both people and nature. At first glance, this year's theme, “Glacier Preservation,” may seem irrelevant to Laos. However, the Mekong’s headwaters originate from the Tibetan Plateau in China, where glaciers that contribute approximately 6.6% of the river’s discharge are experiencing accelerated mass loss and thermal change due to climate change.

The reality is that climate change affects water flow on a global scale; melting glaciers contribute to rising sea levels and alter weather patterns, impacting rainfalls, river flow, and groundwater availability.

These disruptions exacerbate floods and droughts, threatening ecosystems and the livelihoods that depend on them in Laos, a country far removed from the ice-covered peaks. These interconnected challenges underscore the need for greater collaboration, emphasizing how water connects us and how effective water management can aid climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience-building.

The Government of Laos is committed to protecting water, wetlands, and peatlands through the Law on Water and Water Resources, the River Basin Plan, the Wetland Decree, and the National Water Resources Management Strategy 2030.

The government promotes integrated policies that connect water management with biodiversity conservation, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable economic development, including climate change adaptation strategies to ensure long-term resilience in both rural and urban communities. Additionally, the government has been advocating for nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation to effectively address challenges while promoting human well-being and biodiversity benefits at the basin, community, provincial, and national levels.

In alignment with National Policies, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supports the Government of Laos through the Integrated Water Resource Management and Ecosystem-based Adaptation (IWRM EbA) project in the Xe Bang Hieng River Basin and Luang Prabang City.

This initiative aims to enhance the climate resilience of communities and the ecosystems they rely on. Various protective, green infrastructure initiatives, including riverbank stabilization, flood control measures, wetlands, and community pond renovations, have been carried out to bolster community resilience in the face of disasters.

It is estimated that approximately 492,500 individuals will benefit from the initiatives, with around 200,000 hectares brought under climate-resilient management.

This impactful work is made possible through the support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Together, we are scaling up our investments and interventions in a joint conservation effort to protect and adapt to the changing climate, ensuring the continuity of livelihoods for the people of Laos.

The 2025 National Symposium to Scale up Integrated Water Resources Management and Ecosystem-based Adaptation for Resilience in Laos, held on April 3rd and 4th, 2025, serves as a platform for exchanging knowledge and experience, discussing opportunities and benefits, and enhancing technical understanding of contemporary water management issues.

It will also highlight strategic linkages to the relevant national and sectoral strategies and development plans.

The call to action is clear: protecting water resources is a shared responsibility. Together, we can ensure a future where communities thrive and sustainable development flourishes.

Author: Martine Thérer, Resident Representative of UNDP Lao PDR

KPL