Lao People's Democratic Republic - Investment and Access to Land and Natural Resources : Challenges in Promoting Sustainable Development, A Think Piece (A Basis for Dialogue)

The aim of this discussion paper is to
ascertain the government of Lao's (GoL) current
practices in negotiating, awarding, and managing land
concessions; enhance GoL understanding and commitments to
develop national capacities targeting improved land
management, that will generate revenues for GoL, and ensure
sustainable development as an urgent priority; and provide a
basis for dialogue within the government to enable its
determination of priorities to better address land
development issues in Laos, to enable the achievement of
sustainable, responsible economic development. The paper
also examines key issues revolving around the sustainable
utilization of land, and the mechanisms, through an
examination of GoL s policy statements. The findings are
provided, and the report advises that GoL pay special
attention to four major points: the availability of adequate
and accurate information on which to make decisions on
concessions; adequate capacity within GoL agencies to
determine, award and monitor/oversee the operation of
concessions; and governance over land and natural resources.
These points of guidance are expected to contribute towards
developing sustainable approaches for land administration
and management programs in Lao PDR, and enabling GoL to
adopt more rigorous oversight of the land and natural
resources sector, as well to the political economy aspects
of resource management.