HELVETAS Laos co-hosts Power Sector Development Policy Dialogue

On 4 September, The Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) and HELVETAS/RISE project co-hosted a 1st policy dialogue on power sector development in Lao P.D.R. For the first time, representatives of the government, civil society organizations (CSOs) - both local and international, private companies and development partners sat around a same table to discuss about the development of the power sector in Laos. The Government and CSOs could exchange their views and share concerns and ideas in a respectful and constructive environment. No topic was deemed off-limit and all issues were openly discussed. The dialogue showed that the power sector is a complex field and that different types of organization can play a role to make it more sustainable. It also showed that the Government understands the needs for multi-stakeholders discussions forums and that both CSOs and MEM share the same objective of poverty alleviation. More than 80 people attended this event, which is likely to be the first of a series of activities jointly implemented by MEM and CSOs. A meeting report will be available soon.